Ernie Weaver

Ernie Weaver's first senior appearances came within a few weeks of each other in August 2025: an EFL Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers, then a league debut against Stoke City. The defender from Sheffield had come through the Sheffield Wednesday academy, where he captained the Under-18 side, and he signed his first professional contract that July.

The route was a straight one. He was in the club's youth setup by the 2022–23 season, took a two-year scholarship ahead of 2023–24 and stayed at Hillsborough throughout, so there was no transfer fee at any stage. He has not played for England at any youth level.

What followed the debuts mattered more than the debuts themselves. Weaver held a starting place at the beginning of the 2025–26 season and played in the side that took Wednesday's first win of the campaign, against Portsmouth. Supporters voted him the club's Player of the Month for September 2025.

His work in the Championship drew notice for a specific reason: he led the division in blocks per 90 minutes, at 2.3. It is a figure that suits a right-footed defender. Reports linked his performances to interest from Premier League clubs.

Weaver is still at the start of his senior career, and the numbers behind his first full season are still being written. The academy captain has, for now, turned a debut month into a regular place.