Sheffield Wednesday’s Joost van Aken breaks silence after Owls return

The Dutch centre back spent last season out on loan in the 2. Bundesliga with VfL Osnabruck, and after helping them secure their place in the division after the lockdown he headed back to his mother club in Sheffield.

Now, after seemingly impressing Garry Monk during the Owls’ preseason camp, Van Aken is looking at starting two league games in a row at the club for the first time since December 2017 – and he admits that he’s delighted to be back and working with the new boss, a former central defender himself.

Speaking to the club, the 26-year-old said, “I’m happy to be back at Sheffield Wednesday… To be honest it’s been very good (working with Garry Monk), he’s been a centre back himself so I spoke a lot to him before the season started about what he expects from me and his centre backs.

“I think I can learn a lot from him with the experience he has. Everything is quite good - new manager, new staff, everything positive.”

And his return to action was perfect as he helped the side to a 2-0 win over Cardiff City, a result that he was very pleased with of course.

He added, “It couldn’t have been better actually, I couldn’t ask for more. A win away, a clean sheet and in the starting XI, so it was a good day for all of us on Saturday, and for me personally as well.

“It’s something to build on and now we have to keep improving.”

It remains to be seen whether the former Heerenveen man will keep his place in the side after Julian Börner returned in the Carabao Cup win over Rochdale, but he’s looking forward to turning out at Hillsborough once again if given the chance.

“It’s been more than two years since I’ve been around Hillsborough and on the grass, so yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

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