Sheffield Wednesday Eyeing Up Exciting Free Agent

With another season in the Championship secured, Danny Röhl’s Sheffield Wednesday will have an important summer. One man on the Owls’ radar is Ovie Ejaria.

The 26-year-old has been without a club since his mutual termination on the books at Reading. The London club claimed that the terms of release revolved around Ejaria’s constant injury problems and lack of fitness. Despite being a key contributor and a ‘live-wire’ in the Royals’ midfield for five years, the former Arsenal and Liverpool academy player was released in January.

It has recently emerged that Ejaria has spent time on trial with Plymouth Argyle, but nothing has materialised as of yet. There has also been a revelation that Wednesday themselves have allowed the 26-year-old to train at the club, during the culmination of their 2023/24 season. A possible move has been outlined by the Sheffield side ahead of another Championship campaign.

Ejaria has shown spells of promise at a selection of clubs. Loan moves to harness his Liverpool career saw the midfielder ply his trade temporarily at Sunderland, Rangers, and Reading, before earning a permanent transfer to the latter in August 2020. Ejaria then went on to earn 72 appearances for the Royals, although he only mustered up five goals in that time.

Röhl has already spoken on his desire to strengthen his Wednesday side, following the extension of the 35-year-old’s contract at Hillsborough, amid speculation from other Championship suitors. The former Reading star could be the first name that the German brings in to the Sheffield side this summer.

Ejaria was a stand-out performer in the 2020/21 season for the Royals, partnering with Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise to form a scary attacking outlet in the second tier. Olise scored seven goals that campaign, while the 26-year-old found the net three times and assisted five.

Writer’s View

The former Liverpool academy player’s talents are undoubtedly there, however Ejaria’s release from Reading centred around speculation that his work rate and attitude to training wasn’t adequate enough for the club.

Röhl could drill the professionalism back into the 26-year-old if a move materialises though. The German’s impressive galvanisation of the Owls this season had placed him on the shortlist for many competing clubs – before an extension was agreed.

Ejaria could re-find his scintillating form, displayed at Reading, by knuckling down and signing for a promising team under an excellent emerging manager.

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