Owen Hesketh will spend the remainder of the 2023/24 season on loan at National League outfit Kidderminster Harriers.
The move to Aggborough will see the under-21s attacking midfielder venture on his first loan away from Compton Park.
Hesketh, who signed for Wolves in the summer of 2019, has been in a rich vein of form this season scoring seven goals in all competitions for James Collins’ side.
More recently, Hesketh’s progression was rewarded with a place in the first-team squad as he was an unused substitute in the Christmas Eve victory over Chelsea at Molineux.
Managed by Russell Penn, Harriers returned to the National League following promotion via the play-offs last season and currently sit seven points from safety at the foot of the fifth tier.
Pathways manager Steve Davis has explained more behind the move and believes Hesketh is ready for that next step into men’s football: “I know Russell and have come across him quite a few times when I’ve managed and he’s played. Owen’s a player he told me he was interested in a year ago to try and take.
“He’s somebody he knows and they need that type of creative player – that’s what he is. They jumped at the opportunity and it gives us chance to go and watch his development.
“He’s ready for that loan now. He needs to go out there and start making a career for himself playing men’s football and getting the experiences that the other lads have had.”
Hesketh returned to action this time last year following a period out injured and has remained a key figure in the under-21s set-up, with Davis now confident the 21-year-old can have a positive influence on the remainder of the campaign for Kidderminster.
“I just felt when I was watching him it wasn’t challenging him quite as much as it has done in the past. Sometimes players can peak and then go a bit the other way.
“The good thing for Owen is that he’s stayed fit and played regularly. He’s been fairly consistent and produced some great moments as he does. He’s brilliant at dead-ball situations which will be a great help to Kidderminster I’m sure and he’s a creative player who can cause problems in the opposition box – any manager wants that type of player in their team.
“Russ has got good staff and players. After getting promoted, it’s a harder league and Owen’s going to have to show some fight and be reliable in good team performances to get results.
“It will be for him to see how he copes out of possession because in possession we know how capable he is. Out of possession, he’s going to have to work hard, be a good team member, do his job and follow instructions and a plan.”
