Defender, Dexter Lembikisa has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with Wolves until June 2026.
Lembikisa has graduated through Wolves’ Academy since joining aged 13 years-old and has managed 99 minutes in total across three senior appearances this season, having made his senior debut against Leeds in the Third Round of this season’s Carabao Cup in November 2022.
The 19 year-old went on to make his Premier League debut in Wolves’ home defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League just days later, although both appearances were as a substitute before he made his first start in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend in the FA Cup at Anfield.
Lembikisa has also successfully integrated himself into Wolves’ first-team squad under Julen Lopetegui, following the Spaniard’s arrival at the start of the World Cup break which saw those not on international duty have a chance to immediately impress their new manager.
“It’s great for Dexter and his family,” commented Wolves’ Sporting Director, Matt Hobbs who is “delighted” to retain the youngster with a new three-and-a-half year contract, as Lembikisa now becomes a role model for others in the club’s academy ranks.
On what Lembikisa’s new contract represents for young players at Molineux, Hobbs said: “Dexter is a real role model as a player and person the rest of the boys coming through can look up to.
“He’s shown that even if you’re not one of the superstars within your age group, that doesn’t matter. If you come in every day with the right work ethic and the right attitude then this is what’s possible.
“Your journey doesn’t have to be linear and it can just be down to working to be the best version of yourself you can be.
“Sometimes that’s good enough, and sometimes it’s not, but what Dexter’s attitude and work ethic gives him is the opportunity to be the best player he can be, and as we’ve seen so far, that’s going to be a real asset for the football club going forward.”
Hobbs iterated that Lembikisa’s contract also represents “the faith we have in him,” whilst also highlighting that new contracts are “a reward” for hard work and development and “are not something that we give away.”
On Lembikisa’s integration into the first-team squad, Hobbs praised the youngster for impressing Lopetegui with “his athleticism and by his one-on-one defending,” which has seen him “quickly” establish himself within the senior squad.
Hobbs added that the club has “long-term plans” for Lembikisa in which he can “stay, learn and develop under the coaching team or has all the attributes to go and have a successful loan for the remainder of the season.”
Should Lembikisa not be sent out on loan until end of season, Hobbs believes that the decision will be based on belief in that the full-back can continue to develop best alongside players in the senior squad like Nelson Semedo and Jonny – who are fellow full-backs. .
Wolves often hold “a distinct plan” for individual young players but Hobbs concluded that there are “different approaches” available for Lembikisa based on what the club and Lopetegui believe “suits him and his development best.”