'A no-brainer' - Joel Ndala reveals how he reacted after hearing about Sheffield Wednesday interest
Joel Ndala became Sheffield Wednesday’s fifth signing of the mid-season window on deadline day.
New Sheffield Wednesday recruit Joel Ndala has said it was a “no-brainer” to move to Hillsborough once he discovered a deadline day switch from Manchester City was on the cards.
The winger, 19, joined the Owls on Monday evening, signing on loan for the remainder of the season after his season-long loan spell at Hull City was cut short.
Ndala joined the Tigers back in July and was expected to spend the full season at the MKM Stadium. He made 19 appearances for the East Yorkshire outfit, scoring two goals.
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Despite swapping one of the Championship’s automatic promotion contenders for a club that is rooted to the foot of the table on -7, Ndala is delighted to have completed a temporary switch to Hillsborough, no doubt optimistic he will earn more game time after a reduction in opportunities at Hull in recent weeks.
Ndala told the Owls’ YouTube channel: “Yes, I am very happy. Obviously I know Sheffield Wednesday - they are a big club.
“When I found out I could come here and help the team in any way I could, it was a no-brainer, really.”
Ndala impressed by Pedersen
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Wrexham stretched the Owls’ winless run in the Championship to 23 games, meaning it would not have been unsurprising had Ndala walked into a downbeat environment. However, he has claimed the mood is anything but, offering a positive assessment of boss Henrik Pedersen.
“He is a really good guy, a good human being, and he looks like the type of guy who cares a lot about you as a person first,” Ndala continued, speaking about the Owls manager. “The football comes after, but it is you as a person first, and I really like it.
“He seems like a manager that wants you to do well. The club is in an unfortunate situation, but the vibe around the place isn’t down; everyone’s happy, bubbly, and I feel welcome.”
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On the club’s current situation, the winger commented: “It is a tough situation to be in. It would be easy to just put your head down, but it is nice that the team is trying to fight to do as well as they can.
“They have got a good manager behind them to do so.”
On what he will bring to Hillsborough, Ndala added: “Excitement, unpredictably, skills, creating chances and scoring goals.”