The 22-year-old joins the Pitmen following his departure from Championship side Sunderland earlier this summer.

Wilding began his career with West Bromwich Albion as an academy graduate.

First joining Vanarama National League North side Leamington on loan in the 2018/19 season, he then moved on to Sunderland where he became the captain of their under-23 side and made 61 appearances in their Premier League 2 side.

The defensive midfielder then returned to Leamington on loan from December 2021 until February 2022 before ending the campaign on loan at Northern Premier League Premier Division side South Shields, managed by former Sunderland favourite Kevin Phillips, before departing the Black Cats in the summer.

Hednesford manager Keenen Meakin-Richards told his club’s website: “Sam is a cracking player. We weren’t sure if we would get him as he had a couple of offers in the National League North but we are delighted he has decided to join us here. He is a defensive midfielder and did well in that role during both of his spells at Leamington so we are really pleased to have got Sam over the line, usually when you have a player straight from under 23’s football there is some adjustment to no-League but Sam has already been around non-League level twice with Leamington and he has already trained with the lads so he will settle in quickly I have no doubts”.