Sheffield Wednesday summer signing Max Lowe has spoken positively about one of the club’s rising stars.
Max Lowe has become an important player for Sheffield Wednesday in recent weeks, with Danny Rohl deploying the 27-year-old at left centre-back.
Akin Famewo is facing a significant spell injured and Lowe has stepped in and performed very well in the last few fixtures in particular.
He’s started the last four games now, even starting the Steel City derby defeat against Sheffield United in which the former Blade put in a solid shift at the back.
Lowe was once a very highly-regarded young full-back in the Football League. He was part of a £15million double deal with Jayden Bogle in 2020, when Sheffield United poached the pair from Derby County.
The Englishman was 23 years old at the time. Now, he’s given his verdict on a current academy gem at Wednesday, who may be looking to follow in Lowe’s footsteps.
- READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday star makes Championship Team of the Week after ‘excellent outing’ vs Hull City
Max Lowe hails ‘incredible’ Gabriel Otegbayo at Sheffield Wednesday
In March 2024, Irish centre-back Gabriel Otegbayo signed his first professional contract at Hillsborough, having since made his senior debut in this 2024/25 season.
Otegbayo impressed in the Carabao Cup win against Blackpool earlier in the season, then shining against Brentford as Wednesday bowed out of the competition.
He also impressed on his Championship debut against Norwich City earlier in the month, helping the Owls to a 2-0 win on the night.
Speaking to The Star, Lowe has hailed the Owls’ rising academy gems, singling out Otegbayo for praise.
Lowe said: “I think what the young players really need to understand is that they’ve got a great opportunity here.
“And they’re doing well. For example, when we’re senior players out on the pitch and we see Gab coming in like he did at Brentford, we’re full of confidence knowing he can have a massive impact on the game.
“When he came on against Norwich, he did some things that you don’t necessarily expect from a young lad and that’s incredible, a young player coming on to make his league debut.”
- READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday fans in agreement as voting opens for November POTM, it’s ‘got to be’ one man
Danny Rohl pleased with Gabriel Otegbayo progression
Right now, it seems like the 19-year-old is still a while away from playing regular Championship football, with Otegbayo captaining the U21s in midweek.
But he’s shown a lot of potential in the chances he’s been given by Rohl, who isn’t scared of trialling youngsters in the first-team and in the Championship.
Speaking recently, Rohl said he’s pleased with Otegbayo’s progression this year. He explained: “Players can be up and down and take some time to improve but I will always support them.
“But it’s up to the player too. It’s not always easy because of the schedule and how little training time we have.
“You look at Gabriel Otegbayo and Di’Shon Bernard who have improved very well this season.”
Republic of Ireland U21 man Otegbayo was on the bench for the Steel City derby recently, though he wasn’t in the matchday squad for games at Cardiff City and Hull City.