Malone and Hemmings enter pro ranks

Wolves' newest recruits Scott Malone and Ashley Hemmings are preparing for experiences away from Compton after signing their first professional contracts.

The 17-year-olds have signed deals to the end of next season, with a further 12 months in the club's favour, after emerging under academy coach John Perkins.

Left-back Malone is now set for a new adventure, as he prepares to join Wolves' Hungarian partners Ujpest on loan for the rest of the season.

Striker Hemmings, who has already had a taste of first team football having been named as a substitute for the Championship defeat at Swansea in October, is spending a week at Bournemouth, with a view to joining the League Two strugglers on loan for the rest of 2008-09.

Malone said: "It came as a bit of a shock to be offered a contract. The gaffer (Mick McCarthy) came in and said 'we're going to offer you a pro (deal)' and we're going to send you to Hungary.

"I'm buzzing – I'm going out there to play some football and if I play regularly, I'll come back and try to get in the gaffer's squad for next season. I thought the deal would just be for a year and if I don't do well, I'd be off."

For Malone, playing in a foreign country at such a young age should be a fantastic life experience.

He said: "I think their football's more technical, rather than hustle and bustle, so it will suit me more than playing league football here. I think it will be a good move."

Hemmings said: "I am really happy. I'd like to thank (academy manager) Kevin (Thelwell), John (Perkins) and Mick (McCarthy) for giving me the opportunity of a pro contract.

"I'm happy to go to Bournemouth because I can get some more experience, hopefully in the first team. But I'll go down there, do my best and hope to come back here as a better player.

"I've heard the players in that division are very strong and they like to get their tackles in, so it'll be good to experience it.

"Then I want to come back to Wolves and get into the first team, although I know I have a lot of hard work to do first."

Academy manager Kevin Thelwell added: "The academy staff are delighted Scott and Ashley have both signed pro contracts.

"It's well deserved because they've had fantastic seasons both this year and last, so we hope it will lead to bigger things for both of them.

"The loan periods should serve them well. Ash is following in some big footsteps. Jermain Defoe was on loan to Bournemouth and Sam Vokes joined us from them.

"It's an ideal opportunity for him to measure himself against those standards and show how good he is.

"With Scott going to a different country, it's an experience not only from a professional prospective, but also socially and I'm sure he'll do very well."