Sheffield Wednesday man set for move to European club as Owls clear out continues
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After the announcement last month that 10 senior players would be leaving the club at the end of their deals – among them the likes of Keiren Westwood, Tom Lees and Jordan Rhodes – it seems two defenders are on their way out.
After the news that youngster Osaze Urhoghide has turned down the Owls’ latest contract offer, respected German news outlet Bild are reporting that centre-half Julian Börner has agreed a deal with Bundesliga.2 outfit Hannover 96, a move that would bring to an end an up-and-down two-year spell in South Yorkshire.
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Hide AdBörner has one year left on his Wednesday deal and though the terms of any switch remain unknown, Bild are reporting there is no transfer fee involved in the move.
The German has spoken about the difficulties of being separated from his young family throughout much of the coronavirus crisis.
Hannover is situated just a 90-minute drive from where they are situated in Bielefeld, where Börner was club captain at Arminia before his Hillsborough move.
The 30-year-old was brought in on a free transfer by Steve Bruce in the summer of 2019 and made an eye-catching start to life in England, though he battled inconsistency throughout his two seasons.
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Hide AdHe has made 70 appearances for the club scoring four goals including in what could prove to be his last match in a Wednesday shirt, the death knell 3-3 draw at Derby County on the last day of last season.
The departure of Lees – linked with a match-up with former Owls captain Nigel Pearson at Bristol City – alongside the likely exits of Börner and Urhoghide mean Chey Dunkley, Dominic Iorfa and the adapting Sam Hutchinson are the only senior central defenders at the club heading into a busy summer transfer window.
Though youngsters such as Ciaran Brennan will be hoping to impress during the club’s preseason build-up, Wednesday boss Darren Moore is understood to be working alongside the recruitment team in sourcing incoming signings.
The club are facing up to off-field struggles and as it stands are under the terms of a transfer embargo, though as revealed by The Star, they are able to make free transfer signings.