Wolves snap up promising youngster Hong Wan
Wolves have signed highly-rated youngster Hong Wan on a two-year contract.
The 18-year-old had been captain at Yeovil Town's under-18 side having previously come through the academy at Charlton Athletic.
He also had a short spell at Luton Town last season and will go straight into Wolves' Under-23 setup.
Hong's former coach at Charlton, Peter Lodge, called the teenager "without a doubt the best number four I have had the pleasure in developing".
Hong was born in London but is of Chinese and Malaysian heritage.
Academy chief Scott Sellars said: "With every player we look at bringing in to the academy, first and foremost they must have the ability.
"Hong’s been training with us recently and definitely has the ability, but he also has a great personality and clearly loves playing football.
"We’re hoping he’s going to bring these qualities to Wolves and expect him to fit in well with the programme we have in place in the academy.
"Throughout the academy, we have an objective to develop players not just for the first-team at Wolves, but also for a future career in professional football, and due to our ownership under Fosun, there is a large emphasis on developing young and talented Chinese players.
"In all aspects, this deal works for everybody as we are bringing in a player who we believe has a lot of potential and we can also give him the time at Wolves which he needs to develop into a promising player."
The midfielder said of his big move: "It’s a great opportunity and I’m very grateful to have been given a chance to be at such a great club.
“We’ve all seen how well Wolves have played this season, not just the first-team but the under-23s as well, and it’s certainly a club that’s on the rise. It’s a great feeling to be part of it.
“I was captain of the under-18s at Yeovil Town last season and we had a good run where we reached the highest ever placing of the club at that age group, so I had a very good season there, but I’m excited to now be here at Wolves.”
"I would love to crack on and get myself in and around the under-23s next season, hopefully break into the team, and then I hope to make the step-up into the first-team.
"It’s just a great thing to be part of and I can’t wait to get started."
Wolves owners Fosun have stated their desire to unearth young Chinese talent.
In Fosun's recent annual accounts they said it was a key aim of the club's strategy to attract more fans in China.
