Marvelous Nakamba lifts lid on swapping Luton Town for Sheffield Wednesday with family influence cited
Marvelous Nakamba has lifted the lid on his decision to leave Luton Town and jump in the trenches with Sheffield Wednesday.
The 32-year-old arrived at Hillsborough on deadline day, making a free transfer move following the termination of his Luton contract.
While the veteran midfielder may not have been in favour at Kenilworth Road, he arrived in South Yorkshire with an impressive CV.
A former Premier League midfielder with both Aston Villa and Luton, Nakamba has penned a deal running until the end of the season.
Relegation from the Championship is on the horizon in S6 but Nakamba gave a number of reasons when asked why he wanted to join the Owls.
Marvelous Nakamba lifts lid on Sheffield Wednesday move
In an appearance on All Wednesday with Joe Crann, Nakamba said: “Firstly, I think it’s a massive club with a rich history. When I heard I had the chance to join them, I spoke with family. They were really happy and they told me about the history of the club, they knew the club way before me. My parents, they told me good things.
“Also, when I asked people around me, they were really happy for me. Also, to join the challenge, to fight for the people. They have been through it, the Sheffield Wednesday people. For me, it encouraged me to join them and try and help, to be there and be part of that family, to see the challenges. I’m very happy to be involved with Sheffield Wednesday.
“I grew up in a not-so-good environment with a lot of challenges. For me, it was something, straight away, a good opportunity joining a massive club like Sheffield Wednesday and to look up at the good things that can be there for the club, not to focus on the negative things. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.”
Sean Fusire and Peter Ndlovu conversations
Nakamba has been reunited with former Luton teammate Jerry Yates, who was loaned to Wednesday earlier on in the winter window.
He has also linked up with his Zimbabwe teammate Sean Fusire, who he had spoken to about the Owls before his switch to South Yorkshire.
Najamba said: “One time, when I was relaxing with him (Fusire), I was asking him about the club. He was telling me good things and saying they have a good dressing room.
“My next call to him was ‘I think I might join you’, He was really happy for me. When I had the chance to join the club, I didn’t think twice, I just sent him a message saying ‘I might share a dressing room with you now’.”
Zimbabwe icon Peter Ndlovu represented the red side of the Steel City during his playing days, yet the former Sheffield United star was among those to congratulate Nakamba on the move to Wednesday.
Nakamba explained: “He congratulated me - he said ‘well done, it’s a massive club’. Everyone in home in Zimbabwe was telling me good things about the club. He congratulated me and said it’s a wonderful club with good players and fantastic fans.
“So far, it’s been fantastic. Everyone has welcomed me well. So far, so good. I am happy to have joined Sheffield Wednesday.”