The 18-year-old Sheffield Wednesday starlet with his eyes on promotion – watch his hattrick here!

Bonnington, who recently turned 18, has been impressing in the Owls’ setup for some time now, and is now the captain of the U18s as he continues to set an example while leading the line.

‘Bonno’ was recognised by League Football Education last year for his efforts on and off the field, being named in their ‘The 11’ back in June.

Speaking at the time, Wednesday’s Head of Education & Welfare, Dan Potts, told LFE: “Alex has done absolutely everything asked of him this season and during this stint in isolation, with tasks including education, analysis, sport science workouts and conditioning.

“He had a mid-season dip in form and has worked with club staff through this adversity to come back stronger and more determined. Alex filmed a great short video of him completing some skills at home, which the club used on their social media to engage our supporters during lockdown.”

Almost a year on, and Bonnington continues to impress on the field – bagging his second hattrick of the season over the weekend as the Owls cruised to a 3-0 victory over Hull City.

The forward has already had spells above his age group as he spent time training with the U23s at various points, and now – as a second year scholar– he’s looking to make sure that those opportunities keep coming his way.

Bonnington has got nine goals this season – including two hattricks – and his spells with the U23s suggest that he’s certainly putting his hand up for a professional contract when the Owls make a decision on his future.

Wednesday will need to decide in the coming months whether to offer Bonnington a deal and promote him to the U23s on a permanent basis for next season, or whether his future may be better spent elsewhere.

The Owls’ U18s are midtable in the U18 Professional Development League North with six games to go, and Bonnington will be eager to finish strongly as to give him the best chance of securing a future at Middlewood Road beyond July.