Wolverhampton Wanderers sign talented Derry City teenager

Derry City FC can confirm that midfielder Luke O’Donnell has joined English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers for an initial ‘six figure’ fee.

The talented 17-year old signed a professional contract at the Brandywell at the start of this season and is the second Academy player to agree a move to England this month, after goalkeeper Conal McDermott signed for Portsmouth.

O’Donnell made his senior debut for Derry back in November 2023, when he was still only 16, and signed a professional deal with the Candy Stripes in February this year.

A former Cockhill Celtic youth, O’Donnell has international experience with Ireland’s under-17s and competed in their European Qualifiers last season.

Derry City’s CEO Sean Barrett said that O’Donnell’s move was further testimony to the wealth of talent currently being developed at the Brandywell.

He said: “It’s a great move for Luke and he is a player we think very highly of, so it’s no surprise that he has attracted the attention of a big club like Wolves.

“It’s very pleasing for us a club that we’re developing players on a pathway, that as well as giving lads the opportunity to move across the water, we’re also focused on providing local players for Derry City.

“For now though we just want to wish Luke every success at Wolves and we look forward to monitoring his progress there.”

Wolves academy manager for football, Jon Hunter-Barrett, is pleased to have secured the signature of a player the club have been keeping tabs on for a while.

He said: “Luke’s a boy we tried to sign a year ago so it’s been a real challenge for us but, most importantly, for Luke and his family to wait for this amount of time before officially signing for us.

“He’s another versatile player who can play as a six, eight or even as a centre back, which he’s shown he can do for his national team.

“Luke’s a great height and shape, and an athletic mover who can manage the ball. He’s another solid personality, someone who is consistent every day and we feel we can build a development block that’s going to be needed for him to sustain a career in the game moving forward.”