The 18-year-old duo have both been at the club for many years as they climbed up through the youth ranks, and last week it was confirmed that after recently turning 18 they have been offered their first professional contracts at Hillsborough.

Thornton, an attack-minded midfielder, and Johnson, a left back, were regulars this season as they helped Wednesday’s U18s to a third-place finish in the Professional Development League, while the former has also been a big part of the U21s that finished in the same position in their division.

Wednesday have had some joy in their academy ranks of late, with Bailey Cadamarteri rising up into the first team and Pierce Charles becoming a regular in senior sessions, and both have received international call-ups on the back of their progress in S6.

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