Sheffield Wednesday have agreed to sell midfielder Svante Ingelsson to Stoke City in a deal that could exceed £1m.

Thursday saw the Owls receive the vote of confidence of versatile defender Max Lowe ignoring Championship interest to sign a new contract, but attempts to keep arguably their best player have not succeeded.

Wednesday were very keen to keep Ingelsson, their player of the year for last season, but his eagerness to remain in the Championship after relegation ultimately held sway.

Wary of the financial restrictions on them in League One, the 28-year-old's reluctance to commit for longer and the fact his contract enters its final 12 months next week, Wednesday decided to act swiftly to cash in, and Ingelsson appears to have left on good terms.

Ingelsson, who played in a variety of positions between the defensive line and the centre-forward, made 58 Championship starts in his 79 appearances for the club, scoring twice.

The Owls do at least have funds for the next stage of their rebuild as they prepare for life back in League One.

So far their only new signing has been centre-back Ricardo Santos from Swansea City, but the news Lowe had signed a new one-year contract with an option for a further 12 months was significant.

It follows the announcement of a new deal for Liam Cooper on Wednesday.

MOVING ON: Svante Ingelsson has joined Stoke City (Image: Steve Ellis)

placeholder image — MOVING ON: Svante Ingelsson has joined Stoke City (Image: Steve Ellis)

After a hugely difficult last season as the mismanagement of previous chairman Dejphon Chansiri started to bite, it was announced on the final day of last season that David and Michael Storch, plus business partner Tom Costin, are the new owners of the 158-year-old club.

The day that was announced, before a first home win of the season, against West Bromwich Albion, clearly left an important mark on Lowe.

"I'm delighted to get this sorted as quickly as we could," he said of his new contract. "A lot of people behind the scenes have worked really hard and I'm delighted it's all come together at the right time.

"The fans have been great with me since day one and I'm loving the support – I can only thank them. It's no secret that it was a special day against West Brom.

"It's a special club and I felt like that was just a teaser of what’s to come.”