Academy set for Bratislava pre-season return

Wolves Academy will return to Bratislava next month as part of their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

For the second successive pre-season, the club’s under-16, under-18 and under-21 groups will head to the Slovakian capital for a seven-day training camp from Sunday 14th July to Sunday 21st July.

During their stay, the youngsters will also play two friendly fixtures which will form part of the schedule building up to the new campaign.

The full under-21s programme will see James Collins’ side travel to face non-league outfits Nantwich Town and Hednesford Town, while also going head-to-head with fellow U21 groups in Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic.

Meanwhile, Richard Walker’s under-18s have pencilled in friendly matches against Port Vale, Crewe Alexandra, Bristol City, Leeds United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, providing a variety of tests for the scholars.

In Slovakia, both groups will face youngsters from reigning Nike liga champions SK Slovan Bratislava, while the under-21s will play Budapest Honved for the second pre-season running and the under-18s will be tested against FC Spartak Trnava.

Academy manager for football Jon Hunter-Barrett said: “We’re really pleased to have secured the facility in Bratislava for a second successive pre-season.

“First time around, we were hugely impressive with the set-up, facilities on offer and support we received during our stay, so it was a no brainer in terms of returning ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

“We’re looking forward to taking the three groups out to Slovakia to help prepare them, both mentally and physically, for the demands of the upcoming season and they will benefit from being engaged and stimulated in a different environment for the week.

“The players will be exposed to top-class training facilities, as well as two stern friendly matches against European opposition – all of which will provide their own challenge and ensure the players are tested fully ahead of returning to Compton.”

U21 pre-season fixtures*

·      Nantwich Town vs Wolves | Friday 12^th July, 7.30pm

·      Budapest Honved vs Wolves | Tuesday 16^th July

·      SK Slovan Bratislava vs Wolves | Saturday 20^th July

·      Hednesford Town vs Wolves | Tuesday 23^rd July, 7.30pm

·      Blackburn Rovers vs Wolves | Saturday 27^th July, 2pm

·      Wolves vs Charlton Athletic | Saturday 3^rd August, 2pm

U18 pre-season fixtures*

·      Wolves vs Port Vale | Saturday 13^th July, 12pm

·      FC Spartak Trnava vs Wolves | Tuesday 16^th July

·      SK Slovan Bratislava vs Wolves | Saturday 20^th July

·      Wolves vs Crewe Alexandra | Tuesday 23^rd July, 1pm

·      Wolves vs Bristol City | Saturday 27^th July, 11am

·      Leeds United vs Wolves | Tuesday 30^th July, 1pm

·      Chelsea vs Wolves | Saturday 3^rd August, 1pm

·      Crystal Palace vs Wolves | Saturday 10^th August, 1pm

*Fixtures and kick-off times are subject to change.