Sheffield Wednesday coach and ex-Owls keeper on ‘rapid’ progress of newly contracted starlet

Academy goalkeeping coach Nicky Weaver has worked closely with Pierce Charles, who this week signed his first professional deal with the club having turned 17 in the summer.

A Northern Ireland youth cap who has spent time training with the senior sides of both his club and national sides, the former Manchester City youngster is highly thought of at S6.

And Weaver, who played in the Premier League with, ironically, Man City, is excited to see where Charles' talent can take him.

“It’s great news for Pierce and his family, it’s well deserved,” Weaver told swfc.co.uk. “He’s had huge strides in the time he’s been here but there’s still a lot of hard work to do.

“He’s a great lad with a great attitude, he listens to what you tell him and he takes it on board and that shows in his performances.

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“He’s grown physically, when he first came he was quiet as he didn’t know anyone in the group coming from Manchester City and he’s become a big part of the group.

“He’s technically very, very good and now he has to continue his development and learning about the game.

“All round, his development is at rapid speed but he’s very level-headed and takes everything in his stride. Long may his development continue on the path that he’s currently on.”