Former Blues forward Tawanda Chirewa has joined the Wolverhampton Wanderers development squad having left Portman Road in the summer after turning down the offer of a new contract.

The 19-year-old was offered new terms in May, the Blues having taken an option for an additional year in his previous contract the previous summer.

It appeared at the time that the offer was made in order to ensure training compensation for the Chelmsford-born attacker’s years in the Blues academy with there being little chance of him signing the deal. We understand compensation terms have been agreed between the clubs following discussions over the summer.

Chirewa, who is understood to have signed a four-year deal at Molineux, made one Papa Johns Trophy start and two sub appearances, one in that competition and one in the FA Cup, while with the Blues.

When he made his debut as a sub at Colchester in the Papa Johns Trophy, he became the club’s second-youngest first-team player at 16 years and 31 days behind Connor Wickham.

A number of Premier League clubs, Arsenal believed to be among them, have shown interest in Chirewa over the last few transfer windows with West Ham having made offers in the summer of 2022.

Wolves’ academy manager for football, Jon Hunter-Barrett, says the forward had been on their radar for some time.

“It’s one that we’re delighted to get over the line,” he told his club’s website. “We’ve been watching Tawanda for a while now, since the age of 16, and monitoring his progress before picking the right opportunity to approach and get him across for his services.

“His key qualities are his handling of the ball in tight areas and an ability to get the team up the pitch to create and score from deep areas.

“As always, with one of our key strategies of looking at loan opportunities for our players at the right time, the departures of Harvey [Griffiths] and Alfie [Pond] and steady progression of one or two others into the first-team squad, it was important we strengthened our U21s to ensure they have the ability to compete throughout the season.”

Head of UK academy recruitment Harry Hooman added: “Tawanda is someone we have liked and monitored for a long time, dating back to when he was an U16. Although nothing happened at the time, we continued to monitor his development closely over the last few seasons.

“He is an athletic, talented player with the ability to score and create goals. He wants to get on the ball and is not afraid to take responsibility and take risks to make things happen.

“We feel he has the attributes and potential to do well for us both in the short and long-term. This is a fresh challenge for him and we are excited to see him kick on again with us.”

Town face Wolves in the Carabao Cup third round at Portman Road next week but it seems unlikely that Chirewa will be involved.

Photo: Matchday Images

braintree_blue added 13:02 - Sep 18 He looks absolutely thrilled to be there!!
3

Bergholtblue added 13:10 - Sep 18 Shame I really thought he was one for the future for us.
1

Wacko added 13:22 - Sep 18 “His key qualities are his handling of the ball in tight areas" - don't think that's a good thing tbh
2

Dissboyitfc added 13:30 - Sep 18 Is that a large shirt or is he small! Disappointing but we only want players who want to be here!
5

BeattiesBackPocket added 13:35 - Sep 18 End of the day it’s not the club he turned down a new contract offer by us so if he doesn’t want to be here then fair enough tbh good luck to him. I remember the last guy who did this that people thought shouldn’t have gone and how good he was going to be Tyreece Simpson look how that turned out. 4 appearances since signing for them
4

MaySixth added 13:36 - Sep 18 Will end up on a uninspiring youth loan at Kidderminster Harriers before drifting off into even lower-league levels and becoming a youth coach at Dudley.
3

blueboy1981 added 13:51 - Sep 18 You can only be Fair with such Players, if that’s not good enough - then GOODBYE, and take your chance !
3

Tractor_Boy_Tommy added 14:42 - Sep 18 Be another tyreece Simpson in a years time
4

DeliasMashedPotato added 14:43 - Sep 18 Happy to be proved wrong but he will be bench warming in the Icelandic 2nd division within 3 years.
2

Robert_Garrett added 14:45 - Sep 18 GLUM? No loss then if he doesnt want to stay but dont let him back in again. Out is out - no loyalty or connection to our Tractor Boyz despite getting him where he is today. Will he play for England?
0

Help added 14:50 - Sep 18 The face you make when you realise the new club you have signed for is not offering you as much as the one you left.
2

midastouch added 14:51 - Sep 18 Que Chirewa, Chirewa Whatever will be, will be, After we beat Wolves we're going to Wembley, Que Chirewa, Chirewa
1

ArnieM added 15:26 - Sep 18 Move on …yaaaaawwwwwn..
0

ArnieM added 15:26 - Sep 18 Move on …yaaaaawwwwwn..
0

ElephantintheRoom added 16:19 - Sep 18 Franchise football has no time for youth development. Nor it seems do many franchise followers.
-1

tractorboybig added 17:13 - Sep 18 into oblivion
1

ChestnutSe added 17:16 - Sep 18 I always had the impression he was a prolific goal scorer whenever he played. Hopefully not one we will regret letting go sometime in the future (we did release a certain England keeper as a lad). Wish the lad all the best anyway.
1

happybeingblue added 17:56 - Sep 18 odd one,why would you not want to stay and potentially improve with one of the best young coaches in the game,a lot of young lads with us must think they have already made it if they do well in the u18s 21s, or at least their agents or mums and dads who probably know very little about football do.wolves will loan him out to a lge 2/national lge club probably and play hoofball. how is he honestly going to get in their first team squad,with their recruitment policy,and manager merry go round, they only buy abroad. oh well at least he didnt do a liam gibbs i suppose.

2

runningout added 18:10 - Sep 18 good luck Tawanda
2

therein61 added 18:50 - Sep 18 He thought he deserved to walk into our first team but it didn't happen therefore he decided he didn't want to be here so goodbye young man your impatience could be your biggest downfall unless you start to listen to other people who know football instead of Mr 10%!
1

algarvefan added 01:11 - Sep 19 Nothing to say other than good luck son I hope it goes well for you at Wolves.
0

tractorbot added 04:31 - Sep 19 Well, this answers my question from last week. Shame he didn't stay with us but good luck to the lad.
0

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 04:57 - Sep 19 Like Tyreece Simpson, we won't hear much about Chirewa again. See ya, son.
1

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