Ian Poveda has found a new club after joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan in January.
The winger found some form for Sheffield Wednesday, having been limited to only 30 appearances in four years at Leeds United.
Despite failing to score for the Owls, Poveda became a fan favourite and made a key contribution to the club avoiding relegation.
Having been released by the Whites at the end of the season, Wednesday were one of a number of Championship clubs eager to sign him permanently.
However, Danny Rohl failed in his pursuit to bring the Colombian back to Hillsborough and he instead opted to join Sunderland.
Wednesday fans have been left disappointed by the Colombian’s decision, but former midfielder Carlton Palmer insists ‘it’s not a big blow’.
Danny Rohl ‘knew’ that he wouldn’t be able to sign Poveda
Speaking to Football League World, he said: “It was one of those, he was a free transfer, he did really well at Sheffield Wednesday, I would’ve bet any money that he would’ve gone back to Sheffield Wednesday under Danny Rohl.
“He played some unbelievable football, but as a free agent, he was always going to be very attractive to a lot of football clubs, and obviously his agent and the player would want to get the best deal possible.
“It’s not a big blow for Sheffield Wednesday. Of course, they would’ve wanted to have brought him back after his impressive loan spell, but Danny Rohl has been very, very busy in the summer in bringing players to the football club.
“He’s assembled a very good and competitive squad for next season, so it will be disappointing because he’d done very well for the club, but he knew the player was going to be out of contract.
“You look at the signings they’ve made and the timings of those signings, and Poveda wasn’t through the door early. So, I’m almost certain that Danny Rohl knew that he probably wouldn’t be able to get the player.
“He was interested in getting other players over the line, which he has done. It’s one of those things, disappointment because he was a fan’s favourite and did a really good job, but that’s the way it goes when players are free agents, and they have the ability to choose where they want to go.
“Sunderland will be a good move for the player.”
Sheffield Wednesday aren’t short on replacements
With Wednesday still looking to re-sign Ike Ugbo, it seems likely that Jamal Lowe will take Poveda’s spot out wide.
The attacker has played a majority of his career as a right winger and has much better stats than Poveda too, claiming 51 goal contributions in 186 games in the Championship.
While much older, Lowe should have a positive impact on the Owls’ squad and has plenty of competition too, with the likes of Anthony Musaba and Callum Paterson both competing for places in the starting line-up.
It’s a shame, but the Owls will definitely cope just fine without their former loanee.