Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
WARRIORS prospect Leon Chiwome has signed a contract extension with English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers which will run till the summer of 2028.
The 18-year-old played four times for Wolves last season, including two starts in the Premier League, before picking an injury in training in April that ended his season.
Speaking about Chiwome’s new deal, Wolves’ sporting director Matt Hobbs told the club website that the Zimbabwean prospect stepped up when the team needed him most and showed what he is capable of.
“Leon stepped up last year in a tough time, when we had some injuries, and showed the potential he has. At the moment, the plan is for him to stay with us, develop under Gary (O’Neil, head coach), his staff and James (Collins) with the under-21s, but while the window is open, there are other possibilities,” said Hobbs.
Chiwome, who made his Premier League debut towards the end of last season, joined Wolves’ academy from AFC Wimbledon two years ago.
Chiwome made three Premier League appearances at the end of last season, including two starts.
He also scored three goals in nine appearances for Wolves under-21s in Premier League Two.
The highly-rated striker’s stay and development in the EPL, widely regarded as the most competitive league in the world, is great news for Zimbabwe, although he is yet to commit his allegiance to the Warriors.
The striker received a Warriors call-up for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria in November last year, but could not make the trip.
Zimbabwe is still hopeful he will wear the Warriors jersey.
He is one of the foreign-based players that the country is keeping its fingers crossed will pledge full allegiance to playing for the Warriors.
The youngster was born in the United Kingdom to an English mother and a Zimbabwean father.
Born in Brighton, the 18-year-old was signed from AFC Wimbledon in July 2022 after being scouted while playing for Alfold FC and the Sussex Schools FA team.
Chiwome spent just over a year at Plough Lane before making the move to Compton Park as a schoolboy following an intensive period of scouting.
He has already represented the Under-18s and Under-21s in Woves gold, while also pulling on the England Three Lions shirt at Under-17 level, netting a hat-trick against Germany in an international friendly.