Sheffield Wednesday’s newest recruit was at least partly convinced that Hillsborough was the next destination for him by one of his fellow new signings, he has revealed.
The signing of Frenchman Momo Diaby was confirmed by the club early on Friday morning, on a season-long loan from Portuguese top tier side Portimonense.
The towering midfielder will provide more options to Owls boss Xisco in midfield. He turns 27 next month.
He arrives with a familiar face in camp, having previous played with Chilean international Juan Delgado at F.C. Paços de Ferreira.
Delgado provided the Owls with a glowing reference, Diaby told the club’s media team as part of his transfer unveiling, also saying that a switch to English football is
a dream he has harboured for some time.
“I know Juan, I have played with him before,” he said. “Before I came I spoke with him and he told me great things about the club.
“I am very happy and I hope we have a good season. I am here to help the team.
“As soon as I heard, it was clear I wanted to come to Sheffield Wednesday and I am very happy because I will finally play in England, it has always been a dream.
“I can’t wait, I have heard a lot of good things about the fans and I want to tell them that me and the rest of the team will do our best to make them happy.”
Though as of yet unconfirmed, reports in Portugal have reported there is an option to buy clause in the Diaby deal.
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Three more arrivals and four exits – Sheffield Wednesday’s dream end to summer transfer window
Sheffield Wednesday didn’t just endure a slow start to the summer transfer window, it was more like a snail’s pace. For so long. Reece James was the only addition
through the door.
But in the last few weeks business has certainly picked up. Wednesday have now recruited eight signings, with all areas of the park strengthened after a summer full
of departures. New boss Xisco Munoz is still imprinting his style upon the existing players whilst the new boys are also getting up to speed with their new
surroundings.
But as it stands you would be hard-pressed to say that the squad is not stronger than the one which ended last season. The question now is how Wednesday will
wrap up their business with three weeks of the window still to run.
Read more:All the latest news and gossip from Hillsborough
If we’re being greedy – and let’s face it, that’s the whole point of putting this kind of piece together – then we could foresee perhaps three more signings before the
month is out.
Momo Diaby looks the obvious next arrival given the reports coming out of Portugal. If true, he’d add some much-needed bite and height in the middle of the park.
We’d still like two more additions though, with a new left-back. Reece James needs competition there and Akin Famewo, although he does a competent job, is better
at centre-half.
The jury is still out on Marvin Johnson given his absence from both matchday squads so far, therefore a new left-back would be just the tonic. Finally, we’d try and
add another forward with genuine pace, similar to Anthony Musaba. Keeping Michael Smith out of the clutches of Derby, or anyone else for that matter, is also
important. He scored 20 goals last season and deserves a shot at the Championship.
To offset all this we’d allow Mallik Wilks to depart. It hasn’t worked out for him at S6 with constant injuries and niggles. If Wednesday can recoup most of what they
paid out to Hull just 12 months ago then it would make sense. Another option is to loan him out, perhaps until January, to see if he can rediscover his scoring touch
before giving it another crack in the New Year back at Hillsborough.
In terms of other outgoings we’d suggest a few players could do with moving on, albeit temporarily. Talented youngster Rio Shipston is one who looks primed for a
loan move to a League Two or maybe even League One side.
Jay Glover is another who is seemingly going to struggle for game time at senior level. Ciaran Brennan has become the forgotten man after picking up an injury
during the pre-season camp in Spain and he could also be best off looking for pastures new.
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