Even though the transfer window closed more than a month ago, teams can still sign free players right now and they will be allowed to play right away.
Danny Röhl may be keeping a careful eye on the free agency market to see whether there is anyone worth signing who may make a difference and assist the Owls maintain their Championship status, given that Sheffield Wednesday is currently engaged in a relegation battle.
After Wednesday had a terrible start to the Championship season and appeared to be out of it in October, Röhl joined the team and gave them a realistic chance of finishing in the division.
After the team’s third straight victory on the road against Rotherham United on Saturday, they are currently only three points out of safety.
If the Owls could pull through, it would make for an amazing tale. They’ve put themselves in a position to succeed, so they might search for a few more bodies to push them over the edge at Hillsborough.
Nico Schulz
In light of that, Sheffield Wednesday may try to sign these five free agents this summer or right now.
After working with Danny Röhl as the German national team’s assistant manager, German international Nico Schulz has been training with the Owls.
The 12-time German international left-back was let go by Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, and he is currently a free agent.
He hasn’t performed, nevertheless, since May 2022 due to claims that he injured a previous partner gravely.
According to The Star, Schulz was in court last week and was ordered to pay €30,000 to each of five distinct non-profit groups, including women’s charities, for a total of €150,000. If he does not pay the requested amount within three months, the case will be dropped.
Undoubtedly, the Owls would benefit greatly from acquiring a former German international, but it is unclear if the club would actually do so. A group of Sheffield Wednesday women’s supporters has urged the team to “think carefully” about signing Schulz.
Tariqe Fosu
Tariqe Fosu, a former player for Brentford, is a free agent as of last summer, when his deal with the Bees ended.
The winger played 39 games last season while on loan at Rotherham United and Stoke City in the Championship, making 28 of those starts. He finished with one goal and three assists.
With 89 division games played, he has a wealth of Championship experience, tallying six goals and seven assists.
With his Championship experience, Fosu, who has four caps for Ghana, may be a good addition for the Owls. A brief stint with the team from now until the end of the season could help put him in the running for a longer contract in the summer.
Josh Onomah
Although the 28-year-old seems to have received no contract offer after spending time on trial at MLS team Charlotte FC last month, the Owls still have the option to sign him.
Josh Onomah, a former Preston player, was formerly regarded as one of the best young players in English football, but things haven’t exactly worked out for the Spurs academy product.
He signed a short-term contract with Deepdale in January 2023 after moving from Fulham, but his contract ended last summer, leaving him a free agent.
With 112 Championship games played and 26 Premier League outings under his belt, the 26-year-old midfielder has a plethora of experience.
Onomah may believe that a Championship relegation fight is beneath him, having played for teams like Spurs and having a tonne of Premier League experience, but a transfer to Hillsborough may rekindle his career and put him in the sale window before the summer. This is especially true after a season without playing football.
Jürgen Locadia
Dutch international striker Jürgen Locadia has been a free agent since the turn of the year after leaving Chinese Super League club Cangzhou Mighty Lions.
The 30-year-old had a spell at Brighton between 2018 and 2022, but has enjoyed a slightly nomadic career since then.
Spells in the MLS with FC Cincinatti, Vfl Bochum and Iranian side Persepolis FC have been sandwiched between his time with Brighton and his move to China, and Locadia appears keen to try new leagues and play football in different places.
Whilst he’s already experienced English football, he has never played in the Championship, and he may feel like he has unfinished business in this country after his time at the Seagulls where he scored just six times in 46 games.
It would be an ambitious move for the Owls, but Danny Röhl is an ambitious young manager and the prospect of firing the club to Championship safety could be one that appeals to Locadia.
Connor Wickham
A familiar face to Wednesday supporters, Connor Wickham has been a free agent since his short-term deal with Cardiff City expired in the summer.
The Bluebirds drafted Wickham in as a free agent last season to help them in their relegation battle, and the Owls could do the same this season.
The 30-year-old has had three separate loan spells at Hillsborough, during the 2012/13 season, 2013/14 season and 2019/20 season, playing 30 games in total, scoring 11 goals.
Wickham is a strong, physical presence and is a proven goalscorer at this level. A short-term deal until the end of the season could prove beneficial for both parties.
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