Danny Rohl has claimed that one Sheffield Wednesday starlet is the ‘future’ of the club.
Speaking to The Star, the Owls boss praised Bailey Cadamarteri as he provided an update on his contract.
Bailey Cadamarteri signed his first professional contract with Sheffield Wednesday only last summer, however he has already begun to make his mark on the first team.
The striker made his senior debut in October 2022, before Darren Moore claimed he wasn’t ready for regular action just yet.
A year later, Danny Rohl has taken a liking to him and handed him his first start for the club against Leicester City. The 18-year-old went onto spearhead the line-up against Blackburn Rovers a few days later, and it took him only five minutes to score his first senior goal.
The club are well aware of the excitement around Cadamarteri and have confirmed they are in talks over a new contract to tie him down, with the youngster previously attracting interest from the Premier League.
When asked about the importance of Sheffield Wednesday getting Cadamarteri to put pen to paper on a new deal, Rohl said: “I spoke after the game against Blackburn to say I like him, I like his process and to have young players with his attitude and mentality at the club. He will be the future for the club.
“We are in a good process now at the club and for me it is important we keep young players at the club with this level of potential. If we get anything done then you will find out as quickly as possible but you can trust me that I am trying to find a quick solution.”
How important is tying Bailey Cadamarteri to a new contract?
Sheffield Wednesday have one of the oldest line-ups in the Championship, with a lot of their key players – such as Barry Bannan and Callum Paterson – all in their 30s.
With the Owls seeming to mainly focus on the loan and free agent market in recent years, there have been very few academy products to come up the ranks and make a good impression on the first team.
Bailey Cadamarteri has very quickly done that and doesn’t even look out of place in a team much older than him.
Keeping hold of the forward is very important as there will undoubtedly be interest in his signature next summer, especially if Danny Rohl is unable to keep Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
At least if Cadamarteri opts to stay at Hillsborough beyond this season then that will give supporters plenty to cheer about.