Exclusive: Centre back offered Sheffield Wednesday deal after impressive displays
The 18-year-old, who has captained the Owls at youth level many times, is seen as a bright talent for the future, and has been a big part of the recent uptick in form for the club’s on-fire U18s.
Weaver has risen up the ranks at Middlewood Road in recent years, featuring for the U21s this season as well, and as the second year of his scholarship comes to an end this publication is led to believe that the club are looking to extend his stay.
Having impressed in the Wednesday defence at various different age groups, the talented teen is seen as one for the future at Hillsborough, and will be keen to follow in the footsteps of players like Bailey Cadamarteri, Pierce Charles and Gabriel Otegbayo, all of whom have taken the step up into the senior ranks over the last couple of years.
The central defender is known to have been watched by a number of different clubs throughout the course of his journey through the Wednesday academy, but indications are that he’s eager to kick on in blue and white now that a senior contract is on the table.
Weaver is expected to finish out this year with the U18s as they continue their hunt for the Professional Development League title, but is then expected to step up into he 21s on a permanent basis for the 2024/25 campaign.
Why Sheffield Wednesday pair were left out of squad for Oxford United defeat
Manager Danny Röhl revealed during the week that no fewer than six senior players had question marks hanging over them heading into the clash, with the likes of Barry Bannan, Michael Smith and Olaf Kobacki absent from the squad altogether. Substitutions were made in-game to a similar theme, with strong performers Stuart Armstrong and Yan Valery brought off with condition in mind.
Bannan’s absence has already been explained, with Röhl reporting his ankle injury ‘does not look good’ and citing a whirlwind last 18 months in which the 35-year-old has played a near ever-present role. On Smith and Kobacki, the Owls boss suggested to The Star that while the pair could have been wheeled out, a close call was made to offer minutes to other players.
He said: “I made the decision on Smudge and Olaf, they had small issues but I said ‘OK, we will give others some minutes’ and we bring Charlie in, Ike in, all of these players. We want to manage the squad and give some minutes.
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“Sometimes you see which players run, run and fight and which players need more of a push. It is about how you attack, how you sprint to the ball in the pressing, you can not do it one time. It was not good enough from our side and our demanding should be higher – it is higher. We have to show more.”
