Owls miss out after Leeds get their man Wickham

LEEDS UNITED last night pipped Sheffield Wednesday to the signing of Connor Wickham as it emerged that a winding up order against the Elland Road club could be withdrawn.
New Leeds United signing Connor Wickham at Thorp Arch.New Leeds United signing Connor Wickham at Thorp Arch.
New Leeds United signing Connor Wickham at Thorp Arch.

The England Under-21 international has joined United on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season.

Wickham was wanted by a host of clubs including the Owls, where the striker has had two successful loan spells.

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Leeds, however, won the race and the loanee is likely to make his debut at Queens Park Rangers this weekend.

The 20-year-old’s arrival was the second positive piece of news for Leeds as it was revealed that Andrew Flowers, who earlier this month failed in his attempts to buy a controlling stake in the Championship club, has been paid back a loan of £1.5m.

Flowers, managing director of shirt sponsors Enterprise Insurance, had issued a winding up order over the debt on January 29. The case was due to be heard on March 17.

The petition remains in place pending certain legal issues being resolved but with the debt paid chances are that the winding up order will be withdrawn.

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Wickham’s arrival, meanwhile, means Brian McDermott has been provided with the funds to bring in two quality loanees in as many weeks with England goalkeeper Jack Butland having signed from Stoke City 12 days ago.

The £8m striker’s capture is a real coup for Leeds, who sit seven points adrift of the play-offs with 15 games remaining.

Manager McDermott said: “We are delighted to have signed Connor until the end of the season. There was a lot of competition for his signature, but he was very keen to come and play at Leeds United.

“He is another young English player who has everything in front of him.”

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One of Wickham’s eight goals for Wednesday this season came in the 6-0 thrashing of Leeds.

It proved to be his last goal for Stuart Gray’s side with the striker being recalled by Sunderland amid doubts about the fitness of Steven Fletcher.

Since then, the England Under-21 international has made two appearances from the bench, but with Fletcher now fit manager Gus Poyet has decided he can do without the striker.

For Wickham, the move represents a likely return to regular football.

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The striker, who will wear the No ‘9’ shirt vacated by Steve Morison in the summer, said: “I need to be playing football. I had been playing at Wednesday and I knew there was some interest in me. But I just needed to focus on playing football.

“Once I heard Leeds were interested in signing me there were no other choices and no doubt I wanted to come.

“I played against Leeds earlier this season with Sheffield Wednesday. The potential here is big. There are some players here that I know already, and the team is looking to push towards the play-offs. Hopefully, I can help with that.

“I just want to play football and do the best I can, and hopefully push the team into the promotion picture.”

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In response to the news, captain Ross McCormack tweeted: “Great signing for us. Top players coming in can only be good for the squad.”

Missing out on Wickham, who netted once in six appearances when on loan at Hillsborough last season, came as a disappointment to Wednesday, who have soared up the table in recent weeks thanks to a fine run and sit 15th in the table.

The Owls did, though, add one returning forward to their squad yesterday when Gary Madine was told the club is willing to give him a second chance following his recent stint in prison.

Madine was jailed for 18 months for two separate assaults in Sheffield, but released last week after serving four months.

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At the time, manager Gray revealed that a high-level meeting would be held this week to discuss the issue with one option open to the club being to sack the striker.

However, the Owls have chosen to stick by Madine, who has 15 months of his Hillsborough contract to run. He will return to training today.

Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric said: “First and foremost, Gary is remorseful and has apologised to all those affected.

“He has made some serious errors of judgement and is the first to take ownership of that situation and the consequences.

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“We can only condemn his actions as a community-focused football club and make it abundantly clear that no further breach of club rules will be tolerated.

“However, we are of the belief that Gary will try his utmost to put this episode behind him, whilst never forgetting the impact of his actions.

“In addition, we firmly believe the club can play a key, hands-on role in facilitating Gary’s rehabilitation back into the professional working environment.”

Madine’s last appearance for Wednesday came in August’s Capital One Cup defeat to Rotherham United.

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The 23-year-old, signed from Carlisle in 2011, said: “I would like to apologise unreservedly to everyone who has suffered through my actions. I realise I let myself, my family and friends, and Sheffield Wednesday down.

“I now wish to look forward, with all the focus on my football.

“I would also like to place on record my appreciation for everyone who has offered me help and support during this difficult period of my life.

“I am grateful to Sheffield Wednesday for giving me this continued opportunity and I can only promise never to let the club or anyone else down in this manner again.”