Owls youngster available on a free transfer
Sheffield Wednesday’s Matt Penney is one of many players to leave the club following the end of last season but unlike many players of his age, the left-sided academy product will be available on a free transfer.
When players under the age of 24 leave a club, compensation is often paid by the new club of said player, in acknowledgement of the training and development of young players. However, EFL regulations state a number of requirements have to be met for compensation to apply and according the The Star in Sheffield, in this case one of those requirements has not been met, namely offering the player a contract on at least the same rate as he was previously receiving.
Penney signed a 1-year extension with the Owls last summer having initially signed a 2-year deal in 2018. Given the Owls relegation to League One it is not really that surprising to find that the club have not offered him a deal on par with his previous terms.
The 23-year-old played 12 times in the Championship for Wednesday last season with many of his starts coming under Neil Thompson, who had previously worked with him in the academy teams. The Owls only won 3 league games that Penney started in and following a substitute appearance in a 3-0 defeat at Reading in early March Penney didn’t play again under Darren Moore.
With Penney struggling to make an impact a fresh start may well be the best option for all involved. Wednesday’s League One counterparts Ipswich Town are thought to be interest in securing his services.