Academy quartet Owen Hesketh, Kam Kandola, Ethan McLeod and Mason Rees have all departed Wolves.
Hesketh joined the club as a first-year scholar in the summer of 2019 after previously being on the books of Manchester City.
During his time with Wolves, the attacking midfielder established himself in the under-21s set-up and was named as Academy Player of the Season in 2021.
More recently, Hesketh’s progression was rewarded with a place in the first-team squad as he was an unused substitute in the Premier League fixture against Chelsea last December, while he spent time on loan with Kidderminster Harriers during the second half of 2023/24.
Wolverhampton-born Kandola departs after more than 13 years progressing through the academy ranks at Compton Park.
The defender earned his first professional contract with the Old Gold in 2021 and was a key performer at under-18 level before his breakthrough into the under-21s.
A leader on and off the field, Kandola acted as a role model and inspired others from a south Asian background through his work through the PFA and the Premier League.
McLeod is another player to have risen right the way through the club’s youth ladder having first signed as an under-7 at the pre-academy stage.
In 2023, the attacker signed his first professional contract with Wolves and gained experience on loan with Alvechurch last term.
Rees joined Wolves at the age of nine and was playing beyond his years by the time he was still only 15, competing for the under-18s as a schoolboy.
The midfielder departs having captained the club at under-18 level as well as appearing for James Collins’ under-21s at the start of last season.
The club would like to thank all four players for their hard work and dedication over the years, and wish them all the best in the future.
