Manchester City set to complete signing of Sheffield Wednesday defender | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium talent-spotters are set to complete another deal involving Sheffield Wednesday as they bulk up the next batch of rising Manchester City talents.

Romario Collins, a highly-regarded defender, has been on the radar of several top-flight clubs after impressing in Sheffield Wednesday’s youth setup at Middlewood Road, having joined the club following his release from Leeds United.

His rapid progression has now seemingly earned him a move into arguably the world’s finest Academy organisation, becoming the second player in recent months that City have moved to secure from Sheffield Wednesday.

The Premier League giants had struck a deal for forward Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri, highlighting the club’s aggressive strategy of securing some of the best emerging players in the country at a very early stage, ensuring they can shape their development under the City Football Academy’s guidance.

Reports from The Sheffield Star in July had previously highlighted that Wednesday were expected to receive a six-figure compensation package if a move for Romario Collins went through.

Now, according to the information of Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have completed a deal for Under-15 defender Romario Collins, who joins the club from Sheffield Wednesday.

It is stated that a deal has been in place for weeks and has since been completed, with the teenager now considered as a new Manchester City player.

The signing of Collins reflects City’s wider recruitment drive at youth level, where they continue to combine internal development with external acquisitions to stay ahead of rivals. With the likes of Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb already breaking into the first-team environment, the pathway from the Academy to senior football is one City are determined to strengthen.

Looking ahead, Collins is expected to begin life in City’s Under-18 side, with coaches gradually integrating him into higher age groups depending on his development.

The City Football Group’s network also offers long-term opportunities for players like Collins to experience different environments and levels of competition should the club decide to utilise loan strategies further down the line.

While it will take years before Collins’ true potential is realised, the move underlines Manchester City’s intent to maintain dominance in youth recruitment across England. As with Cadamarteri’s arrival earlier this summer, the addition of Collins adds another layer of quality to an Academy pipeline that continues to deliver both for City and the wider football pyramid.