Sheffield Wednesday Icon Barry Bannan Poised for Millwall Switch After Medical
In a significant development in the Championship transfer window, Sheffield Wednesday's revered midfielder Barry Bannan is reportedly undergoing a medical at Millwall, having agreed to an 18-month deal with the London-based club. This move signals the conclusion of Bannan's extensive and impactful spell with the Owls, where he has become a legendary figure over nearly a decade of service.
End of an Era for Sheffield Wednesday
The 36-year-old Scotsman has amassed an impressive 477 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday since joining in 2015, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the team. However, his departure comes amid a turbulent period for the Hillsborough outfit, which has faced severe off-field challenges, including entering administration and receiving an 18-point deduction this campaign. As a result, the club languishes with a negative points tally in the Championship table and is all but relegated, prompting Bannan to seek a new challenge.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen confirmed over the weekend that Bannan had expressed a desire to leave due to the ongoing issues, stating, "What I can say is that Barry wants to leave the club after the whole situation and that Barry and his representative are speaking to the club to find a solution." Pedersen added, "Barry has made this decision and he wants to leave and I have very big respect for Barry and also for the solution, but of course I am not happy that he is leaving."
Emotional Farewell and New Beginnings
Bannan's final moments with Sheffield Wednesday were marked by an emotional standing ovation from away supporters after a loss to Bristol City, highlighting his deep connection with the fans. Pedersen reflected on this poignant moment, saying, "You could feel Barry's emotion from him to them and you could feel the emotion from them to him, so of course it was an emotional moment." The manager also expressed personal regret, noting, "I said to him 'I'll miss you a lot' – on a football level, a captain level, a friend level."
On the pitch, Bannan has remained a key contributor this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists in 29 Championship matches. His experience and leadership will now be directed towards Millwall, a club currently positioned fifth in the Championship and firmly in contention for a play-off spot. Under manager Alex Neil, Millwall are six points clear of seventh-placed Bristol City and just six points behind second-placed Middlesbrough, keeping automatic promotion within reach.
Medical Process and Future Prospects
According to reports from Sky Sports, Bannan arrived in London on Monday night to commence his medical with Millwall, with the process expected to continue into Tuesday before finalisation. This transfer marks a return to London for Bannan, who previously played for Crystal Palace between 2013 and 2015 after beginning his career at Aston Villa.
Millwall's upcoming fixtures include a home clash against Sheffield United, followed by back-to-back away games against Wrexham and then Sheffield Wednesday, potentially setting the stage for a dramatic reunion. As Bannan transitions to his new club, his departure from Sheffield Wednesday underscores the broader challenges facing the team, while Millwall gains a seasoned midfielder to bolster their promotion ambitions.
