2019 was a golden year to be a supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The first team continued to excel under Nuno Espírito Santo following promotion to the Premier League. As debut seasons come, they don’t get much better than this one as Wolves soared into Europa league qualification and competed at Wembley in the FA Cup. Equally successful however, were the clubs Under 23 squad for the season. Playing in the PL2 competition the team battled to the final day of the season with the hopes of being crowned champions. From 2-0 down to Manchester United, Wolves struck home a last gasp winner to crown themselves champions against all odds. The squad featured a wide variety of talents from all over the globe. Six years on from their achievement and in the primes of their careers, let’s take a look at where the starting 11 from the dramatic final day are today.
Andreas Søndergaard – Hobro IK
Wolves U23’s primary Goalkeeper for that season seems to have finally found his footing at Danish side Hobro IK following a turbulent few years. Upon release from Wolves in January of 2023, the keeper signed a short term deal with Swansea City.
After zero first team appearances at Swansea and subsequent club Vestri, Andreas has featured over 20 times for Hobro since his arrival in 2024. This season he has featured prominently in the Danish Cup.
Oskar Buur – Lyngby Boldklub
After successful cameos for the first team, including his first senior goal and cultivating a somewhat cult following amongst supporters, the fullback continued to play regularly for the U23’s until his departure in January 2022. Joining Eredivisie side Volendam shortly afterwards, he featured over 40 times for the Dutch club. Despite consistent performances, he left the club at the end of his deal. The expiration of his contract led him to Lyngby, where he has featured frequently in the league for them this season, chipping in with a couple of goals and assists.
Dion Sanderson – Derby County
A key component of the U23’s squad, Dion joined the senior team for that summer’s PL Asia trophy victory where he played in the final against Manchester City. After five loan spells in the football league for Cardiff, Sunderland, QPR and Birmingham respectively, Dion made the permanent switch to the Blues in 2023 after exceeding expectations in the Championship and League 1. The Wednesfield born defender joined Derby County on loan in the 2025 summer window where he is now a regular starter and has since signed for the club permanently.
Edward Francis – Rochdale
The captain of the title winning squad on the day, expectations were lofty for the former Manchester City defender. Having signed for Wolves for an undisclosed fee in January of 2019, he shone in the U23 side as a leader. After signing for Harrogate Town and Notts County upon his December 2020 Wolves exit, Francis impressed during both loan and permanent spells at Eastleigh in the National League. After winning the FA Trophy in January of 2024, he signed a two year deal at League One side Exeter City, where he appeared in over 40 league games last season and scored 2 goals. Francis joined National League title chasers Rochdale in 2026.
Max Kilman – West Ham United
A former futsal international with England, Kilman joined Wolves from Maidstone United on deadline day in the summer of 2018. After being used sparingly by the first team, Max broke into the starting 11 alongside other regulars like Conor Coady and Willy Boly. He was quickly highlighted by the media for his ability on the ball and impressive maturity for his age and experience level. Succeeding Ruben Neves as club captain in 2023, he was one of two players to feature in every single minute of the Premier League season (alongside William Saliba). In 2024 Kilman joined West Ham for a huge £40 million transfer fee, seeing him join them on a controversial 7 year deal. Arguably, Kilman has been one of the most successful members of the squad in the years following their triumph.
Cameron John – Hartlepool United
Joining Wolves from Southend in 2015 as a youth player, John rose up the ranks at academy level and established himself in the U23 squad. After a loan spell at Doncaster, his move was made permanent in 2020. John never featured for Wolves senior team. Despite 36 games across 2 seasons in League 1, the central defender was released after the club were relegated in 2022. Having bounced around the National League with Rochdale and York, John signed on loan for Hartlepool for the 25/26 season.
Ryan Giles – Hull City
After impressing in the Wolves Academy, Giles was sent out on loan across non league and the football league. Spells at Telford, Shrewsbury, Coventry, Rotherham, Cardiff and Blackburn showed glimpses of the wingback’s talent. Especially highlighted for his ability to go forward, he shone on loan at Middlesbrough, where he grabbed 12 assists from wing back. This form earned him a move to Premier League Luton Town for £5 million. Struggling to earn a spot in the team following Alfie Doughty’s form, Giles joined Hull City on loan before signing permanently. The wing back has notched another impressive assist total thus far this campaign for the Tigers.
Sadou Diallo – Bohemians
Similar to Ed Francis, Diallo was brought over from the Manchester City academy for the 18/19 campaign. The midfielder was released by Wolves in 2021, never making an appearance for the senior team. Joining Rob Edwards’ Forest Green saw the midfielder lift the League Two title as they dominated the division. Despite the team honour, Diallo only played 9 times for Edwards’ side. Courtesy of former Man City teammate Will Patching, Diallo signed for Derry City in 2022. Going on to be a regular for the Irish Club, he featured in their UEFA Conference League outings as well as scoring twice in the competition. Diallo made the switch to Bohemians in early 2026.
Elliot Watt – Motherwell
Integral in the team that won PL2, Watt joined Carlisle on a loan deal before signing permanently for Bradford City. Transcending expectations at the Bantams, he opted to join Salford City at the end of his contract. At the class of ’92 owned club, he again displayed his ability and intelligence as he was named in the League Two team of the season and as the PFA Fans’ player of the year despite Salford’s failure to get promoted. Spells at Burton Albion and St. Johnstone later paved the way for him to sign a 2 year deal at Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, where he currently plays.
Pedro Gonçalves – Sporting CP
The most accomplished player of the squad since winning PL2, Gonçalves has since become an integral part of a highly successful Sporting team. Never making a senior appearance for Wolves, he joined Famalicão after citing homesickness as the reason for his departure. Keen to establish himself in their side, the midfielder flourished as a key component in their squad as he went on to win the Primeira Liga’s young player of the year in 2020. Earning a move to Sporting in the summer of that year saw his career blossom as he won young player of the season for the second consecutive season. Since arriving at the Portuguese giants, Gonçalves has won three league titles and the Tàca de Portugal. His form in Portugal earned him a place in the Portugal side that won the Nations League in 2025. This makes him the only player in the squad to win honours for both club and country.
Niall Ennis – Blackpool
Leading the line for Wolves U23’s, Ennis has gone on to be a starter in the football league. After departing for Plymouth in 2021, he became a regular in the squad after adjusting to life in League One. Ennis smashed home an impressive tally of 14 goals as Argyle lifted the League 1 title in 2023, sending them to the Championship, where he would join Blackburn upon the expiry of his contract. Failing to score for Rovers and an uninspired spell at Stoke City led the forward to Blackpool on loan. Here, he excelled, providing experience and goals at the same level he’d previously won with Plymouth. Making the move permanent in the summer of 2025, Ennis has scored a handful of goals, mainly being used as a squad player.
