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Barry Bannan Confirms Leicester City Move Despite Signing New Sheffield Wednesday Contract Amid Club Turmoil
Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan has officially confirmed that he will be leaving the club to join Leicester City, despite having only recently signed a new contract at Hillsborough. The shocking development comes amid ongoing financial and administrative turmoil at the Championship club, raising fresh questions about the stability and future of one of English football’s oldest teams.
The 35-year-old midfielder, who has been a mainstay at Wednesday for the past decade, revealed his intention to leave just days after committing to a new deal. Bannan had previously stated that he turned down “interest from elsewhere” to remain loyal to Wednesday, citing his deep connection with the club and its fans.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time here, and I truly wanted to help the club through this tough period,” Bannan said in a statement. “But in the last few days, it’s become clear that for me to continue playing at the highest level and ensure my own career finishes the way I want it to, I need to move on. Leicester City is an opportunity I simply can’t turn down.”
His decision is likely to be a significant blow to Wednesday supporters, who have seen their club lurch from crisis to crisis in recent months. Despite signing a new deal, Bannan’s sudden departure appears to reflect a growing unease among players regarding the club’s long-term viability.
Sheffield Wednesday is currently under immense pressure off the pitch. The EFL recently raised concerns over the club’s ability to fulfil its fixtures for the upcoming season, with mounting debts, missed payments to HMRC, and repeated delays in wage payments to players and staff. The financial instability has already led to a mass exodus of senior players this summer, leaving the club with just 15 first-team squad members as the new campaign approaches.
In addition, the managerial situation has also changed dramatically. Former head coach Danny Röhl departed the club earlier this summer after voicing frustrations with the ownership and financial issues, and has been replaced by Danish manager Henrik Pedersen, who now faces the daunting task of rebuilding a depleted squad under highly uncertain circumstances.
Despite the chaos, Bannan had hoped to stay on and lead the team through what could be one of the most difficult seasons in the club’s history. His decade-long service at Wednesday has seen him wear the armband with pride, earning the respect of fans and fellow professionals alike for his commitment and consistency.
His move to Leicester City, recently relegated from the Premier League, offers him a fresh start in a more stable environment and the chance to compete for promotion in a more structured setup. The Foxes, looking to bounce straight back to the top flight, see Bannan’s experience and leadership as valuable assets for their campaign.
The departure of Bannan, especially after he had committed his future to the club just days ago, underscores the severity of Sheffield Wednesday’s current plight. Fans will now be watching closely to see how the club responds in the coming weeks, with mounting pressure on owner Dejphon Chansiri to provide clarity, financial assurances, and a sustainable plan for the future.
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