Injuries, captaincy and Nigeria - How the players who left Sheffield Wednesday this summer are doing

Published 16th Nov 2023, 14:43 BST

In many ways, it feels a long time since Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer lifted the League One play-off trophy to mark Sheffield Wednesday's return to the Championship.

But nearing six months on, the winds of change have swept through Hillsborough, with one manager coming and going and German Danny Röhl now at the wheel.

The Owls released a host of senior and academy players in the summer, with those individuals heading off for pastures new at home and abroad.

Here we take a look at how each of those who had contact with the first team are getting on; with tales including injury woe, club captaincy, international call-ups and non-league success.

A popular figure at S6, Adeniran had his injury woes during two seasons with the club and was perhaps the most surprising of the released players. He was linked with a handful of EFL clubs but signed for Portuguese top tier side Portimonense. He made only one appearance there before making the switch to Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva, where has to date made two appearances.

1. Dennis Adeniran

A popular figure at S6, Adeniran had his injury woes during two seasons with the club and was perhaps the most surprising of the released players. He was linked with a handful of EFL clubs but signed for Portuguese top tier side Portimonense. He made only one appearance there before making the switch to Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva, where has to date made two appearances. Photo: Matt McNulty

His Wednesday loan from Nottingham Forest ended early after struggling to make a sustained impact in League One, Mighten was unable to play again for another club in 2022/23 and so had to bide his time. He went on loan with Belgian top tier strugglers KV Kortijk, where he had a knock and played as a fringe player before signing on with Port Vale in January, where he's joined up with his old Owls coach Darren Moore.

2. Alex Mighten

His Wednesday loan from Nottingham Forest ended early after struggling to make a sustained impact in League One, Mighten was unable to play again for another club in 2022/23 and so had to bide his time. He went on loan with Belgian top tier strugglers KV Kortijk, where he had a knock and played as a fringe player before signing on with Port Vale in January, where he's joined up with his old Owls coach Darren Moore. Photo: Gareth Copley

A cult hero who had his time with Wednesday decimated by an ACL injury, Heneghan spent last summer and more training with the Owls before signing for League One Fleetwood Town in September. He has been a stellar performer and has helped them recover dreadful early season form, with only one defeat coming in his nine outings. Injured at current, he's worn the captain's armband in a number of his 31 appearances this season to date.

3. Ben Heneghan

A cult hero who had his time with Wednesday decimated by an ACL injury, Heneghan spent last summer and more training with the Owls before signing for League One Fleetwood Town in September. He has been a stellar performer and has helped them recover dreadful early season form, with only one defeat coming in his nine outings. Injured at current, he's worn the captain's armband in a number of his 31 appearances this season to date. Photo: Steve Ellis

A feature in Wednesday's 2022 pre-season campaign, left-footed defender Aguas impressed but was not able to force his way into the first team reckoning. He came signed with Hallam FC in September but didn't make an appearance before moving to a club abroad.

4. Paulo Aguas

A feature in Wednesday's 2022 pre-season campaign, left-footed defender Aguas impressed but was not able to force his way into the first team reckoning. He came signed with Hallam FC in September but didn't make an appearance before moving to a club abroad. Photo: via aguas03_

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