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Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy defender Filozofe Mabete has penned his first professional contract at the club, having been rewarded for an impressive rise through the academy over the last six years.
The 18-year-old, who was born in Enfield, arrived at Compton Park at just 12 years of age following a newly-devised national recruitment strategy which brought increased diversity to the academy groups.
After signing a two-year scholarship in July 2021, Mabete was recognised at international level with an England under-17 training camp call-up the following month.
He has since established himself as a leader of the under-18s this season, captaining from the heart of the defence, as well as featuring in fixtures for James Collins’ under-21s in all four competitions.
Jon Hunter-Barrett, academy manager for football, said: “Fil is another one that we’re delighted to get done and it’s something that he thoroughly deserves.”
“He’s grown up and developed so much as a person since we signed him and we’ve watched him mature mentally, physically, technically and tactically. He’s also turned into a leader within the under-18s ahead of his transition to the under-21s.”
While Hunter-Barrett has been delighted with Mabete’s development as both a player and person in recent years, he has pinpointed a plan for the defender which he hopes will see him advance further and reach his full potential in the old gold.
“He’s a big, powerful boy and first came in as a midfield player before progressing to become a centre half – we felt he had some longer term potential in that position.”
“He’s picking up a lot of great experiences along the way and has had opportunities to lead. Fil’s plan for the next year is to get himself into the under-21s team and sustain a position there.”
