Sheffield Wednesday are on the verge of signing striker Ike Ugbo on a permanent deal from French side Troyes, according to journalist Darren Witcoop on X.
Wednesday have beaten several other sides to the Canadian’s signature, and the 26-year-old looks set to return to Hillsborough with a fee of around £3 million having been agreed between the two clubs.
The move will see Ugbo return to the club where he spent the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan. The forward’s first stint in Sheffield was highly successful, producing seven goals in 19 games as Danny Rohl’s side completed a miraculous escape from relegation down from the Championship. This form saw Ugbo become a fans’ favourite at the club, and Owls supporters will be hoping he can recreate the same performance level on a permanent basis.
Lewisham-born Ugbo came through Premier League side Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy but failed to make an appearance during his time in West London. Instead, he embarked on a range of loan spells at the likes of Barnsley and MK Dons, as well as successful stints abroad, before leaving the club.
A move to Belgian side Genk followed in 2021 which led to a transfer to current side Troyes following a loan. Ugbo has, however spent much of his time at the club on loan in the Championship, with a spell at Cardiff City before his loan with Wednesday. Ugbo is clearly keen on a permanent move for consistent football, and a move back to Wednesday looks likely.
Should the Canada international move, he would become the eleventh signing for the South Yorkshire outfit this summer. The Owls will be hoping to replicate their form towards the end of last season as they look to avoid another relegation battle, and re-signing Ugbo looks to be the next step in achieving that aim.
Writer’s View
This would be a fantastic move for Sheffield Wednesday going into the new season. Ugbo was one of the key men in their turnaround last term and is popular among fans; while squad turnover is high in Hillsborough as the club look to change fortunes, keeping Ugbo would allow for some consistency and reliability.
For the player, this move may allow him to turn a corner in his career. It’s a permanent move where he would be a key player, something he has had little of thus far. He’s already held in high regard at the club so would bed in fairly quickly, allowing him to advance his own career as well as look to drive Wednesday up the table.
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