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George Hirst, Liam Shaw and four other youngsters who got away from Sheffield Wednesday
Reports have linked Sheffield Wednesday youngster Daniel da Costa with a move to some of England’s biggest clubs. Portuguese outlet O Jogo claims that both Liverpool and Manchester United are keeping tabs on the 15-year-old.
Da Costa is described as a speedy winger and both English giants are rumoured to have watched him on numerous occasions. If the youngster is enticed by a move to the top, he won’t be the first player associated with Wednesday to have had his head turned at such a young age.
Amid the fresh link, Yorkshire Live has taken a look at half-a-dozen promising youngsters who have left Hillsborough down the years and what they’re up to now.
Read more: How Sheffield Wednesday’s season ticket prices compare with rivals
George Hirst
Arguably the poster boy for Wednesday’s academy, Hirst had big shoes to fill given his father David’s exploits in a blue-and-white shirt.
The big hope for Wednesdayites was that Hirst junior would follow in his old man’s footsteps but after just two senior appearances, a messy exit saw his reputation tarnished. The whole episode left a sour taste in the mouth of many supporters, not least because of the role his dad had reportedly played. What made the situation even more volatile was Hirst joined Belgian side Leuven, managed by former City boss Nigel Pearson and good friend of Hirst senior.
That limited the compensation fee paid to Wednesday as he had moved abroad, with Leuven also owned by Leicester City’s chairman to further complicate matters. Hirst would eventually, as expected, sign for the Foxes before being loaned out multiple times. Next season could see him get his long-awaited first team chance after their surprise relegation to the Championship.
Liam Shaw
Another to roll off the academy line, Shaw made a breakthrough in the latter stages of the Covid-disrupted 2019-20 campaign.
He then featured 22 times the following season and big things were expected of him. But his head was turned by Celtic, who signed him on a pre-contract arrangement.
The move north of the border hasn’t worked out though, with Shaw playing just twice for the Bhoys in two seasons. He was initially loaned to Motherwell before spending last season at Morecambe, who were relegated from League One. Two years left to run on his Celtic contract.
Hayden White
Defender White came through Wednesday’s youth ranks and was highly-rated by the set-up. He was a regular in the club’s under-21s and the Owls clearly wanted to keep him long-term, hence they offered him a professional deal in 2013.
But it was rejected by White and he ended up walking out to join Bolton Wanderers, aged 18. He only made a handful of outings for the Trotters and was loaned out numerous times. He then joined Mansfield and was most recently at Walsall but was released at the end of last season.
Osaze Urhoghide
Another player who was swayed by Glasgow Celtic back in the summer of 2021. Urhoghide had only made his debut for the Owls in early 2020, having joined following a successful trial following a short spell at AFC Wimbledon.
But despite showing glimpses of quality, after rejecting a new contract Urhoghide signed for Celtic on a four-year deal. His future looks uncertain in Scotland though, having played just once for them. He’s spent the last season-and-a-half on loan at Belgian side Oostende.
Tony Yogane and Issac Holland
The two youngsters were a key part of Wednesday’s Under-18s before they were both snapped up by Premier League side Brentford in the summer of 2022. The duo helped the Owls finish fourth in the Professional Development League North table and reach the FA Youth Cup fifth round last season.
But after being offered fresh terms by Wednesday they rejected the approach and instead signed for the Bees, with their former club netting undisclosed fees for the pair. Both players are part of the London side’s B team set-up and will be looking to make the progression into Thomas Frank’s senior squad over the coming years.
