Wolves sign Rochdale youngster Matheson in a £1m deal

Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Rochdale youngster Luke Matheson in a deal believed to be worth £1million.

The 17-year-old completed a medical at Compton Park training ground before sealing a switch to the west midlands, having come through the academy of the League One club.

Matheson will now return to Spotland on loan for the remainder of the season before joining up with Wolves in time for next campaign.

The deal also includes a number of clauses that, if fulfilled, will require Wolves to pay additional fees on the initial £1million paid.

Matheson burst onto the scene as a sprightly 15-year-old, becoming the youngest player in Rochdale's history to play for the club after making his debut at the age of 15 years and 336 days.

He made headlines earlier this season after scoring the equaliser in Rochdale's League Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Matheson is the fourth signing Wolves have made this January transfer window and is the third to link up with the Under 23 side, after Leonardo Campana and Enzo Loiodice.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side also secured the signing of Olympiacos winger Daniel Podence in a £16.9million deal, who will provide competition on the flanks to Adama Traore and Pedro Neto.

On joining the club, Matheson told the club's website: 'It's amazing to be part of the pack. It feels incredible to have such a prestigious badge on the front of my shirt.

'Wolves is such a great club, giving constant opportunities in and around the first-team for players my age. That was something that attracted me and I'm looking forward to having that opportunity.

'The facilities are amazing, they are second-to-none. You've got world class pitches, coaches, facilities for anything and everything. It's the best footballing place I've ever been to.

'It's always a big factor when you can see that there are opportunities there for young players. You know, I am still 17, I've hopefully got a long playing career in football and hope Wolves can give me some opportunities that I can grasp in the palm of my hand.

'Regardless of if I'm playing for Rochdale or Wolves, I'll always give 110 per cent, but I can't wait to wear the badge for the first time in a proper game.'