Reported Sheffield Wednesday target Josh Sims signs loan deal with US club

The lightning quick winger, who played eight times for the Red Bulls on loan last season, was the one player Owls boss Garry Monk had acknowledged as a potential target in this transfer window.

But any pursuit for the England youth international is over after his Stateside signing was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.

The move reunites Sims with the American club, which is an arm of the Red Bull sports network known well by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl following his time as manager of Red Bull Leipzig.

Wednesday are yet to add to the addition of 20-year-old Argentinian winger Manuel Hidalgo in this window having missed out on rumoured targets Rhian Brewster and Eddie Nketiah.

It is understood that Crystal Palace forward Connor Wickham remains a target as Garry Monk aims to beef up his forward presence in the loan market.

On Sims New York head coach Chris Armas said: “We’re excited to pick up where we left off; we thought that that first 30 minutes against Philadelphia in the playoffs was one of his best.

“He had a few really nice games, and he ends up scoring a goal that day, so what he brings in the final third that’s different and interesting is that he can get by guys, and he’s not just an attacker, he also plays against the ball and helps the team defensively.

“It’s nice to have players with different qualities. We have a nice mixture coming together up the field, that can provide different things in different moments for different demands of the game.”

Sims finished the MLS season with a goal and an assist and USA right-back Kyle Duncan, whose only goal of last season came off that Sims’ assist, welcomed his return to the club.

“He’s a great player, he brings a lot of intensity to the team,” said Duncan.

“He brings a lot of motivation with the way he plays, and he also motivates other players to play better as well. I’m psyched that’s he’s coming back.”