Sam Hutchinson turned down two other clubs to re-join Sheffield Wednesday

The 31-year-old, who left Wednesday last year having fallen out of favour under Garry Monk, spent six short months at FC Pafos in Cyprus before striking a deal to cancel his contract and return to the UK.

Restrictions placed on travel because of the coronavirus made the move a difficult one for family man Hutchinson, he said, but the experience of playing in England was one that he missed.

The former Chelsea man revealed that his representatives had received more lucrative contract offers since his UK return and that he had signed for Wednesday on an incentive-based deal, with an extension option beyond the end of the season dependent on the number of games he plays.

Frustratingly, the sale of his Sheffield house was completed in the last few weeks. For now at least his young family will live down south.

Sam Hutchinson on his Sheffield Wednesday contract, coming home and how things ended with Garry Monk

Speaking to The Star, Hutchinson wouldn’t be drawn to naming names, but shed some light on the options he had turned down in order to re-join the Owls.

Hutchinson said: “I didn’t want to go abroad again given all the travel restrictions but there were a couple of clubs down south that they [his representatives] were speaking to.

“Obviously closer to home would’ve been a lot easier for me, closer to my kids and stuff, but for me it’s not about any of those other clubs. It never was about any of those other clubs.

“I said to my agent straight away that I wanted to go back to Sheffield Wednesday and as soon as there was a chance I could come here, the other clubs were always second and third choice regardless of money, regardless of where they are in the country.

“I had my heart set on coming back to Sheffield Wednesday.”

Asked whether he feels ready to step straight into the matchday squad for the Owls monster relegation clash with Coventry City, he said: “Absolutely. 100 per cent.

“I’d love to be put straight in the squad, but that’s not my decision. I’ll just do what I’m told with a smile on my face.”

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