Wednesday this afternoon confirmed that Barry Bannan has left the club to join Millwall on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
Barry has signed an 18-month contract with the Lions and leaves us after more than 10 truly outstanding years at the club.
The records show he has played a remarkable 477 games for Wednesday after moving to S6 on a free transfer in August 2015, an achievement that puts him fifth in the club’s all-time appearance record..
What it doesn’t tell is the tremendous contribution he has made to the club during that time, both on and off the pitch.
Throughout the considerable ups and downs of that period there has been one constant donning the Wednesday colours – Barry Bannan – and whether it was a trademark long-range finish or another masterclass pass to create a goal for someone else, Barry was invariably involved in the action.
He was voted London Owls Player of the Year in the seasons 2020-21, 2022-23 and 2023-24, showing just how highly thought of he was amongst our members and we wish Barry and his family every future success and happiness both on and off the field.
The announcement on the Wednesday club website today said of the transfer:
‘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’.
