Why Barry Bannan has signed new Sheffield Wednesday contract - Owls hero has confirmed it | OneFootball

Barry Bannan recently penned a new deal at Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday have suffered a torrid summer but were recently handed some much-needed positive news.

The Owls’ situation went from bad to worse recently as it was revealed that players hadn’t received payment for the fourth month in the last five, leading to a pre-match friendly against Burnley being cancelled in protest.

News broke that pre-match accommodation wouldn’t be provided for the Steel City side’s trip to Leicester City on August 8, forcing players to book their own hotels for the clash.

It also emerged that Middlesbrough and Millwall were eyeing up a move for Wednesday’s captain, Barry Bannan, following the latest round of unpaid wages.

However, those rumours were soon quelled when the Owls announced that the Scotsman had put pen to paper on a new deal at Hillsborough.

Now, the 35-year-old has revealed why he extended his decade-long stay in Sheffield despite all of the club’s current controversies.

Barry Bannan opens up on new Sheffield Wednesday contract

When Millwall and Middlesbrough’s interest in Bannan became apparent, it seemed like the Scotsman may finally be nearing a Wednesday exit.

However, his loyalty has shone through once more, much to the delight of the Hillsborough faithful.

Speaking to the club’s website, Bannan confirmed why he has committed his future to the Owls: “Being out of contract was the first time that has happened to me in my career so it’s been hard.

“Today puts that to bed. Deep down inside I always knew what I wanted to do but at times it seemed like what I didn’t want to do could happen, but now I’m delighted to get it done and I can look forward again.

“There are loads of reasons really…I’ve made it clear over the years my love for the club and the love I receive back.

“This club is a big part of me and my family, who are with me here today as I’m signing. They will always stand by me with whatever decision I make, and I’ve decided to stay.

“With the season getting closer, this last week has been tough because there was interest from elsewhere and I had a lot to think about.

“We had a lot of conversations as a family and when I told my daughter Elsie that I might be leaving she started crying. Then last night when I told her I was staying she started crying again. I asked her why and she said they are just happy tears.”

Barry Bannan contract extension huge boost for Sheffield Wednesday

After all the heartache Wednesday supporters have suffered this summer, Bannan extending his stay at Hillsborough will come as some much-needed good news.

If their club captain had exited after all the torment this summer, it may have been the final nail in the coffin to finish off any chances the Owls had of fighting for survival next term.

Remaining in the Championship will still be quite the task for the Steel City side, after a large number of their key operators from last term have now left the club. Things could still get worse on that front, with Max Lowe the latest player understood to have handed in his notice following the latest round of unpaid wages.

However, Bannan’s presence will help unite the group and motivate them to perform their best on the pitch, despite all of the current messes behind the scenes at Hillsborough right now.

Signing this new deal further cements the Scotsman into Sheffield Wednesday folklore and ensures the fact that he will be remembered as a certified club legend in many years to come.