Wednesday Academy Defender Signs First Contract

Sheffield Wednesday have today formally announced that academy Brad Beatson has been offered his first professional contract at Hillsborough after rising through the ranks in the clubs academy.

A central defender by trade he has been in the club’s youth academy for a few years and has worked his way through the ranks and impressed for both the Under-18s and Under-21s squads. The young defender joins Franck Betra and Jack Stobbs from the same class to graduate through the Owls` youth system. With the injuries to Glenn Loovens and now Claude Dielna, could boss Stuart Gray be brave enough to give home grown talent a chance in the remaining games this season? Some Wednesday will want this opportunity to be granted as means to build to the future. Others will want the present first team players to cease the opportunity with both hands to prove their worth.

Owls defender likely to be out for season: Click Here

Academy manager Dean Ramsdale spoke with swfc.co.uk:
“Brad has been fantastic this year and an ever-present for the Under-18s and stepped up at times to the Under-21s. Under-21 football has been a challenge but we have seen a lot of development in him and believe there is more to come.”

“He goes about his work very diligently, works hard and is the first one in the building. He wants to win every game and has that hunger and passion. That was evident again on Saturday in the 18s` win over Sheffield United.” (See below)

“He has led the side by example all season and I`m very pleased for him. It`s always a tough decision and this year more so than ever because the group have been relatively successful this season. Unfortunately we can`t sign them all. There is a lot of talent in the group and I`m sure a number of them will go on to have good careers in the game. But we have set the bar extremely high and believe Brad, along with Franck and Jack have the ability to make that next step.”

Here are the under-18s victory highlights over Sheffield United from last weekend. from the official Sheffield Wednesday YouTube channel.