Goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin has put pen-to-paper on his first professional contract with Wolves.
The 17-year-old, who arrived from Cardiff City as a first-year scholar in the summer, has impressed in his opening months at Compton Park and now been rewarded.
The Old Gold fought hard for Benjamin’s signature in July, with the youngster making the move from the Bluebirds having been with the Welsh club since the age of nine.
Benjamin has been a fixture in between the sticks for Richard Walker’s under-18s in the early stages of the season and recently gained more international recognition with Wales.
The shot-stopper was part of the under-19 squad last month and has also represented his country lower down the age groups.
Head of academy goalkeeping, Scott Bevan, has spoken highly of the youngster and said: “Lewys has been at Cardiff since the age of eight or nine so to make that move up to the Midlands is a big transition for him, but he’s settled in really well. He’s a good, calm character and is desperate to learn and improve.
“There’s a great framework to build on and the thing that we’re most pleased with is that he’s embracing everything we’re trying to teach him to help improve his game and he’s trying to put it into practice.
“In terms of his actual goalkeeping, he’s very reliable with his techniques and when protecting the goal, his cross-taking is decent – he’s very mobile and explosive as well. There’s still a long way to go but we’re really happy with how he’s settled into the group.
“He still needs time to consolidate so if we can get some consistency from now until the end of the season and get that balance right of stretch and challenge with consolidation, then it means the most important thing is he keeps developing every day. He’ll get opportunities at the right time and hopefully he can step up to the plate and take those opportunities.”
Academy manager for football, Jon Hunter-Barrett, added: “It’s an exciting time for Lewys and it’s been an exciting time for Wolves in the short period of time we’ve got to know him since making his move across from Cardiff City.
“He’s really cementing himself within the goalkeeping department and the under-18s environment. He’s impressed us so far with his performances.
“Throughout the season, we want to see him continue to impress and be ready whenever he gets the call for the next step up.”
