Godwin ObajeMateus Mane Commits to Wolves with Long-Term Contract After Historic Premier League Debut
Wolverhampton Wanderers have struck a major blow in the fight to retain their most talented youngsters by agreeing a new long-term contract with highly rated forward Mateus Mane.
The 17-year-old, who recently made history as the youngest player ever to make a Premier League debut for Wolves, has committed his future to the club despite significant interest from elsewhere. Mane turned down approaches from several Premier League rivals and clubs across Europe to continue his development at Molineux.
The teenage starlet made his top-flight bow in the final minutes of Wolves’ 2–0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last month, coming off the bench to replace a fatigued Andre late in the game. It was a moment eagerly anticipated by the Molineux faithful, who greeted his introduction with a rousing ovation following several earlier appearances on the bench throughout the campaign.
Though brief, his appearance was historic — not just for the personal milestone, but also for the club. Having already featured in matchday squads against Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United, Mane finally made his debut count, etching his name into Wolves’ record books.
Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira has made no secret of his admiration for Mane, and speaking after the Brighton match, he offered a glowing assessment of the young forward’s potential.
“Mane, I’m sure that he will be a surprise in England, in this league, because he’s a player with talent,” Pereira said. “For sure, next season he’ll be in the first-team squad with us. He’s not only a talent, he’s a worker and for me, in that moment of the game, it was not just to give him the minutes. It was because I thought he could do something. He’s special.”
Mane’s rise through the youth ranks has been rapid, and his statistics speak for themselves — eight goals and five assists in 20 matches at youth level this past season underline his attacking contribution across multiple roles. Predominantly a centre-forward, Mane is equally adept operating on the right flank or in an advanced midfield position.
Pereira is clearly not one to shy away from giving youth a chance, regardless of their age. When questioned about Mane’s youth, the Portuguese boss was unequivocal in his stance.
“I don’t care,” he said. “If a player is good enough and works hard, then he plays. Age doesn’t matter to me.”
That confidence has helped persuade Mane and his representatives that his future is best served in Wolverhampton — at least for now. While no official announcement has been made by the club at the time of writing, Wolves’ local sister publication, the Express & Star, has confirmed that full terms have been agreed and that the contract will be signed imminently.
The deal not only secures a top talent for Wolves’ future but also serves as a powerful statement of intent from the club’s leadership and coaching staff. With Champions League-chasing clubs watching closely, keeping hold of Mane could prove to be one of Wolves’ most important pieces of summer business.
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