Sheffield Wednesday starlet Rio Shipston has enjoyed excellent recent progression at the Yorkshire club, with the 18-year-old making his first-team debut in October. 

The young midfielder appeared in an EFL Trophy clash against Leicester City a couple of months ago, whilst he has also featured on the bench in League One. 

As per a report from Sheffield-based outlet The Star last month, the Owls have opened up contract talks with the young midfielder, with the 18-year-old being offered his first professional contract. 

Revealing his excitement from being within the first-team set up at Hillsborough this season amidst new contract talks, the young midfielder told The Star: “I’m loving it!

“It’s massive for my development, and I’m obviously taking the right steps - so we’ll see where it goes… I’ve grown quite a bit, I’m getting set now.”

“It’s a dream come true for me being a Wednesday fan, I’m a massive Wednesdayite."

“I got here when I was six, signed when I was seven, so I’ve been here all my life. It’s a dream come true really. I’ve got to keep pushing on and see where it goes.”

The verdict 

Shipston has made exciting progress within the academy at Sheffield Wednesday and is very highly rated by those within the senior set up at the Yorkshire club. 

A big Sheffield Wednesday fan too, this is, as he puts it "a dream come true" for the young midfielder who will be hoping to continue knocking on the door at first-team level as the season progresses. 

Of course, the midfield position at the League One club is an extremely competitive area, with the Owls possessing Championship quality in the middle of the park. 

That makes his progression at Hillsborough thus far impressive, and now he has had a taste of it, he will be hoping for more as the campaign goes on.