Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed a new two-year contract extension for Barry Bannan and it’s a deal which could save them a seven-figure fee this coming summer.
The Scotland international was heading out of contract at the end of the season.
But after months of talk over a new deal, the club’s official website confirmed on Thursday how Bannan has put pen-to-paper on a two-year contract extension running until 2023.
The deal is excellent news for the Owls amid plenty of uncertainty.
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Wednesday’s latest defeat to Stoke City leaves Neil Thompson’s side sitting third from bottom in the Championship having played a game more than Rotherham United.
Relegation to League One really is unthinkable at this point.
The Owls will need their leading players to help pull them through, and Bannan certainly is among them with the former Aston Villa man their most creative player.
Bannan has made 29 Championship starts this season. He tops the club’s assist charts with four, while he’s the only Owls player to average more than one key pass per game.
Bannan’s two MOTM awards is also only bettered by defender Tom Lees.
Even at 31, the midfielder still has plenty of ability and to replace him would certainly cost the Owls north of £1 million regardless of what league they find themselves in.
Agreeing a new contract extension will be among Wednesday’s best pieces of business this season, and their next target should be to finalise similar deals with Lees, Adam Reach and Kadeem Harris.
Also see: Ex-Owls boss claims Celtic fought off Premier League interest to net bargain signing
Also see: ‘I know Thommo’: Manager responds to speculation Owls want to sign his £3.5m top scorer
