Sheffield Wednesday touch on reasons in emotional statement as Barry Bannan leaves club for Millwall
Sheffield Wednesday legend Barry Bannan is officially a former Owls player after the completion of his switch to Championship colleagues Millwall.
The Scotland midfielder joined the Wednesday on free transfer terms in the summer of 2015 and helped fire the Owls to back-to-back Championship play-off campaigns before several years of mixed fortunes at the club, the highlight of which came with a historic promotion from League One in 2023.
Bannan became a figure synonymous with the Owls across over a decade’s service to the club, taking on the captaincy from Tom Lees at the start of the 2020/21 season. His time with the club saw a number of iterations for Wednesday and across a mammoth 477 senior appearances he contributed 37 goals and 75 assists, twice earning the club’s player of the season award.
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The 27-cap Scotland international was the subject of interest from a number of clubs both in the Championship and north of the border. He makes the switch for what is being described as an undisclosed fee. Bannan moves on to Millwall after emotional scenes following his final Owls appearance at Ashton Gate over the weekend.
A statement released by Wednesday on confirmation of his departure read: “Sheffield Wednesday can confirm that Barry Bannan has joined Millwall on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee. Barry has agreed an 18-month contract with the Lions and leaves the Owls with the sincere best wishes of everyone at the club following an exemplary decade-long period of service.
“The Scot played a colossal 477 games for Wednesday since signing on a free transfer in August 2015, earning a fifth-placed position on our all-time appearances list. Millwall made an approach for Barry and, with a heavy heart, he has decided it is an offer that he must accept and gives him the chance to fight for promotion to the Premier League.
“Given the club’s current position in Administration, the Administrators are unable to give the assurances that Barry was understandably seeking. Equally, the preferred bidder was unable to make any binding commitments to Barry until the regulatory process, which remains ongoing, is completed and ownership formally changes.
“Barry leaves Sheffield Wednesday as one of the club’s modern greats, an inspirational leader on both sides of the white line. Through promotion pushes, relegation battles and periods of extreme difficulty, his commitment, professionalism and passion for Sheffield Wednesday have never wavered.
“He departs with the deepest respect and gratitude of everyone at Hillsborough, and we all hope he returns to Sheffield Wednesday in some capacity in the future.