| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Grainger | ||
| Date of birth | (2008-11-20) 20 November 2008[1] | ||
| Position | Centre forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sheffield Wednesday | ||
| Number | 31 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2006 | Doncaster Rovers | ||
| 2006–2025 | Sheffield Wednesday | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Sheffield Wednesday | 6 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | Wales U15 | 5 | (2) |
| 2023–2024 | Wales U16 | 10 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Wales U17 | 9 | (7) |
| 2025 | Wales U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2025– | Wales U19 | 6 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:43, 2 May 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10:14, 8 June 2026 (UTC) | |||
William Grainger (born 20 November 2008) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One side Sheffield Wednesday.
Early life
He went to school at Wales High School in Kiveton Park.[2]
Club career
Sheffield Wednesday
Whilst at U16 level, he contributed to 48 goals for the Owls and Wales U17s, whilst also scoring 14 goals for Wednesday's U18, Grainger started his two-year scholarship at Sheffield Wednesday in May 2025.[3][4][5] At the beginning of the 2025–2026 season he made the first team squads against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup and Wrexham in the Championship.[6][7] He made his senior debut at 16 years old against Leeds United in the EFL Cup when he came on to replace other debutant George Brown.[8] On 25 February 2026, he made his Championship debut, replacing Jamal Lowe late in the 0–2 defeat against Norwich City.[9] On 25 April 2026, he scored his first senior goal away to Oxford United, pulling one back in an eventual 1–4 defeat.[10] He made his full debut on the final day of the season against West Bromwich Albion, playing 55 minutes before being replaced by Charlie McNeill.[11] In the summer of 2026, there was reported Premier League interest from Everton whilst he was holding talks with Wednesday,[12] however he decided to sign his first professional contract at Wednesday, signing a 3 year contract until the summer of 2029.[13][14]
International career
He was selected for Wales U16 to compete in the Victory Shield.[15] At 16 he was selected for the Wales U19 squad but didn't make an appearance.[16] He got his first call up Wales U18 just after he made his senior debut for Sheffield Wednesday in August 2025.[17] He made his Wales U19 debut in November 2025 against Japan U19 where he got a goal and assist within the opening 11 minutes of the game.[18]
Career statistics
- As of end of 2025–26 season
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2025–26[19] | Championship | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| 2026–27[20] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||
References
- "W. Grainger". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- "In Focus - Will Grainger: The Welsh whizkid of Sheffield Wednesday". The Wednesday World. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- "Grainger reflects on 'surreal' Owls moment". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- "Young Owls set for scholarships". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- "Exciting Sheffield Wednesday talent signs contract in welcome bit of good news". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- "Bolton Wanderers 3–3 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- "Wrexham 2–2 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- "Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 Leeds United". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- "Norwich curise to win at relegated Wednesday". BBC. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
- "Already relegated Oxford hit four past Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 25 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- "Sheff Wed beat West Brom to avoid minus-points finish". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- "Everton keeping tabs on Sheff Wed striker Grainger". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- "Will Grainger signs long-term Owls deal!". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 30 June 2026. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- "Wednesday forward Grainger extends contract". BBC Sport. 30 June 2026. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- "Cymru squad announced for 2023 Victory Shield Tournament". FA Wales. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- "Will Grainger to represent Wales U19s". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- "MU18 squad confirmed for Japan tour". FA Wales. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- "Cruz Allen's late strike seals dramatic Cymru MU19 win over Japan". FA Wales. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- "Games played by William Grainger in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- "Games played by William Grainger in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2025.