Exclusive:Ike Ugbo situation explained after Sheffield Wednesday exit collapsed on deadline day
A deal that would have seen Ike Ugbo leave Sheffield Wednesday on loan collapsed on deadline day, The Star understands.
The Canada international was the subject of enquiries during the window and in theory could still leave the club amid interest from North America, with the MLS transfer window to remain open until March 26. Ugbo’s struggles at S6 are well documented and it’s understood that he was close to leaving in the EFL window, with a deadline day loan switch to a League One club agreed before a change in the market circumstances caused it to collapse - with the other club signing a different option.
Earlier in the window, The Star reported interest from both North America and Belgium for a player whose international side will play co-host to a World Cup later this year. Ugbo was signed by Wednesday in the summer of 2024 after a remarkable loan stint saw him play a starring role in their remarkable survival success in the 2023/24 campaign. The 27-year-old hasn’t scored a league goal since and after hamstring trouble is yet to make an appearance this side of Christmas.
Owls boss Henrik Pedersen revealed last week that Ugbo was back in training after his growing stint outside the matchday squad. He may well have a role to play between now and the end of the season. On a busy deadline day, Wednesday bid farewell to a frontline forward with the £1m departure of Bailey Cadamarteri to Wrexham and brought in Manchester City youngster Joel Ndala - mainly a winger - after the termination of his time with Hull City. Jerry Yates was signed on loan from Luton Town and played as a central forward in the weekend’s defeat to Wrexham.
Wednesday also brought in experienced midfielder Marvelous Nakamba on a free transfer after he agreed to a contract termination with Yates’ old club. The window rounded-off with Cadamarteri as the club’s only deadline day departure, despite interest in the likes of Svante Ingelsson.
Club legend Barry Bannan left the club for Millwall last week, following the exit of youngster Yisa Alao to Chelsea. Wednesday were able to act despite recruitment restrictions, with goalkeeper Murphy Cooper joining from QPR, Jaden Heskey arriving from Manchester City and Tayo Adaramola signing from Crystal Palace - all on loan.