Wolves have snapped up promising Welsh striker Jake Cassidy from Airbus UK Broughton after an impressive trial with the club.
The 17-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year-contract with a further year’s option in Wolves’ favour having joined from the Welsh Premier League club for an undisclosed fee.
Cassidy spent last week on trial at Wolves, featuring in the Academy’s friendly against Coventry and then scoring an excellent individual goal in the Development squad’s 4-2 win at Telford on Tuesday.
Talks took place both before and after the weekend before Cassidy completed the final part of his medical last night to allow the deal to go through.
Brought up in Glan Conwy in North Wales, Cassidy played football as a youngster and joined Llandudno Junction in the Welsh Alliance as a 16-year-old, scoring 28 goals in 32 games last season.
That earned him the step-up to the Welsh Premier League with Airbus UK, where his seven goals in seven pre-season friendlies, including strikes against Wrexham and a young Everton XI, caused plenty of interest.
As it was he was destined never to turn out in a competitive game for Airbus as Wolves made their move and snapped up the teenage front man, who initially goes into the Development Squad set-up to work under coach Steve Weaver.
“We are always interested in signing good young players and Jake certainly fits into that category,” said Wolves CEO Jez Moxey.
“It’s credit to Steve Weaver who has good contacts in the area and became aware of Jake’s progress and brought him in on trial.
“There were plenty of other Premier League clubs interested and when he scored at Telford the interest cranked up even further.
“But Jake immediately felt comfortable here at Wolves and we are delighted he has agreed to join us.”
Weaver added: “I know Andy Thomas, the assistant manager at Airbus, and we got talking about the interest in Jake.
“We decided we wanted to have a look at him and 24 hours later he was here playing for the Academy.
“He then did well in our game at Telford, scoring a good goal and showing plenty of promise.
“There were other clubs interested so it’s pleasing for us that he decided to come to Wolves.
“We’ll be working closely with him as part of the Development squad and are looking forward to seeing him develop.”
Airbus UK Broughton Manager Craig Harrison was delighted for Cassidy “ Jake has done really well, Myself and Thomo watched him a few times last season and he was impressive, Jake has a quiet confidence about him that will hold him in good stead as he progresses.”
“I have been lucky enough to play in the Premier League and there is no better feeling that knowing that a Club see you as an outstanding prospect, I can see that Jake has the right attitude to go on and create an excellent future for himself”
Whilst delighted for Cassidy Harrison had obvious mixed feelings “ Jake was a big part of the plans for this Season and will obviously need to be replaced as we need the numbers for a long and difficult season, we have already begun identifying possible replacements but we have enough in the squad quality wise until we find the right replacement”
“I would like to wish Jake all the best at Wolves and I will be there to give him any advice he might need along the way”
Cassidy’s arrival at Molineux is not the only Wolves connection with Airbus UK.
Former Molineux defender Jamie Smith is now on the coaching staff with the Wingmakers.
Commercial Director at the Airfield Stewart Roberts explained the Club`s stance over Cassidy`s move “ Airbus UK Broughton Football Club have allowed Jake to move on for an undisclosed fee, that has some add on`s that are dependent on Jake`s progress, It is not a decision that was taken lightly as everyone could see how important Jake would become this season”
“Ultimately the decision was that of the Manager and the Chairman, Craig Harrison was never going to stand in the way of Jake having been at a Premier League Club himself, and once the Chairman Paul McKinlay was happy with the deal it was a case of when not if Jake would move”
“We have kept Jake`s family informed every step of the way, and have been looked after by Wolverhampton Wanderers from the word go, it`s a great deal for everyone, Jake, the Club , Wolves and Welsh Football in general, as I am sure Jake Cassidy will become very well known over the coming years throughout the Principality”
