Wolves starlet Ireland Player of the Year

Young Wolves star Connor Ronan has scooped a prestigious international award.

The teenager was named as Republic of Ireland's under-17 player of the year at the FAI's annual awards, held in Donnybrook last night.

Ronan, who recently turned 18, has featured regularly for his country's youth team and put in a string of impressive performances.

He tweeted to say: "Honoured to win this award, couldn't be done without family and friends."

Wolves academy boss Gareth Prosser said they were proud of their player.

"This award shows how far he has come in the time he has had with us and long may that continue," Prosser added.

"We have a good relationship with the staff at the FAI who keep us in touch with how he is doing when he is away with them as well as the conversations we have with Connor as well.

"We are really pleased with how he is doing and look forward to him continuing to work hard and perform well both on and off the pitch."

After starring in Wolves' under-19 Bitzer Cup victory in Germany where he was joint-top scorer, the attacking midfielder joined the Wolves first team on their pre-season trip to France last summer and earned praise from boss Kenny Jackett after featuring in victories over Chambly and FC Paris.

Ronan, who joined Wolves from hometown club Rochdale in 2014, continued with the first team squad for friendlies against Burton and Doncaster, and was an unused substitute for the Capital One Cup victory over Barnet in August.

Since then he had been a regular in Scott Sellars' under-21 squad, and also played in Wolves' run to the FA Youth Cup fifth round.

Sellars said: "Since Connor came into the football club he has impressed everybody.

"He has great ability and a great attitude – he loves playing football and has a real enthusiasm about it.

"I have watched a lot of his Ireland games as well and think he has been the best player there which also bodes well for the future.

"If he keeps going as he is, and keeps working hard, then with his attitude and ability we all feel he is going to have a really good career."

Stoke's Jonathan Walters won the senior player of the year and Norwich's Robbie Brady was young player of the year.

Wolves fans also tweeted their congratulations to Ronan.