'My time has come to move on' - Glenn Loovens sends message to Sheffield Wednesday fans after release

The 34 year-old will join Ross Wallace and Jake Kean in heading for the Hillsborough exit, with Loovens having spent 4-and-a-half years with the Owls.

Posting on his instagram page, Loovens wrote: "My time has come to move on. I enjoyed my 4,5 years stay at this great club and want to thank everyone of you that made it so special. I wish you guys all the best for the future and hope that you get what you deserve."

Loovens, who began his career at Feyenoord before spells at Cardiff City, Celtic and Real Zaragoza arrived in South Yorkshire as a free agent in December 2013 and went on to make 149 appearances for the Owls, scoring one goal - the winner against Newcastle United at St James Park, last season.

Loovens continued to play a crucial role in the squad under Carlos Carvalhal, who had described the twice-capped Holland international as 'the best captain I ever worked with.'

He led out the Owls at Wembley in 2016, as Wednesday lost to Hull City in the Play-Off Final and year later the side made it through to the play-offs again, this time beaten in the semi-finals by Huddersfield Town.

This season, though, Loovens suffered from a lack of form and fitness and made just 22 appearances in total, with two red cards coming his way, one against Derby County after just five minutes and the other in the derby with Shefffield United at Bramall Lane.

In recent weeks he has fallen out of favour under Luhukay, with young defender Jordan Thorniley often chosen instead and it became inevitable that Loovens time at Hillsborough would soon end.