Sheffield Wednesday are already casting an eye toward the 2026/27 campaign, and one of the names to appear on their radar is Lincoln City striker Dan Vanderpuye, who was involved with the club’s U18 side over the weekend.
The 18-year-old forward was one of three trialists involved in a recent youth fixture as Wednesday continue to assess potential additions across their academy and development sides ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer at Middlewood Road. With changes expected across multiple levels of the club, the Owls are taking a close look at young players who could fit into their long-term plans.
Vanderpuye is currently in the second year of his scholarship with the Imps and has been part of the club’s youth setup in recent seasons. He led the line for the Imps’ youth side during the 2024/25 campaign, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances across league and cup competitions, including a notable goal against Wrexham in the FA Youth Cup at the Bank.
Since then, the striker has gained senior experience through a series of work experience loans, spending time with Gainsborough Trinity, Lincoln United and Loughborough Students. Those spells have been aimed at giving him exposure to senior football, physical competition and regular match minutes, but have led to minimal involvement.
Sheffield Wednesday currently have Elton Simo (Leeds United), Feyi Afuape (Barnsley) and Daniel Vanderpuye (Lincoln City) on trial with the club’s U18s.
They all started against Crewe Alexandra this weekend. https://t.co/lZ9ToMESvJ #SWFC
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) March 29, 2026
His involvement with Sheffield Wednesday does not necessarily mean an immediate move is imminent, but it does suggest that perhaps his future is away from Sincil Bank. Isaac Allan and Denny Oliver are two other youth team prospects who have moved upwards without troubling the Imps’ seniors, the latter to Sheffield Wednesday.
The link is Jon Pepper, once of the Imps. He is now academy manager for the Owls, and is believed to be the reason Denny Oliver got a chance to impress there, the same opportunity now afforded to Vanderpuye. The youngster’s recent loans were an opportunity to impress, but it’s now looking likely that the opportunity may have impressed someone outside of Sincil Bank.
It remains to be seen if the Owls act on their interest, or if there is a future for the striker at the Bank.
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