Sheffield Wednesday forward Michael Smith and teammate Josh Windass have both exited the Owls amid the club’s ongoing financial crisis.
Sheffield Wednesday have been making Championship headlines this summer for all the wrong reasons.
At boardroom level, the Owls are struggling financially under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri and have been under three EFL embargoes. Now, thankfully, two Sheffield Wednesday embargoes have been lifted.
In the dugout, matters are no less turbulent for the Owls, as EFL Analysis exclusively revealed this week that Danny Rohl will leave Sheffield Wednesday in the coming days.
Amid the ongoing turmoil in S6, several high-profile stars have left the Owls so far in the summer transfer window, namely attacking duo Michael Smith and Josh Windass.
The former has now shared a heartfelt statement to the Sheffield Wednesday supporters.
Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty ImagesMichael Smith shares statement after Sheffield Wednesday exit
Sheffield Wednesday were slammed for the cut-price sales of Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama earlier this month, who joined the forward duo out the exit doors.
It emerged earlier in July that Windass wanted to leave Sheffield Wednesday, and his and Smith’s departures were confirmed earlier this week.
Owls captain Barry Bannan reacted to Windass’ departure with a heartfelt message on social media, and now Smith has followed suit, after the 33-year-old forward called time on his three-year stint with Sheffield Wednesday.
Smith said on Instagram: “Owls, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single one of you for the support I have received over the last three years.
“Hillsborough has felt like home for me and my family, all thanks to you.
“Having my daughters belt out Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday on match days and to walk out with them on the last home game meant everything to me.
“We’ve shared some unbelievable memories together that will last a lifetime.
“To the staff and players who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know personally and build friendships with, thank you for everything.
“I wish you all the best in the future. Your club has and always will be about the fans. Smudge.”
EFL Analysis revealed this week that Middlesbrough have held talks with Smith about a move, with no shortage of suitors for the veteran forward, who will forever be remembered as a legend at Sheffield Wednesday.
Since arriving from Rotherham in the summer of 2022, Smith instantly became an integral figure for Sheffield Wednesday, playing an imperative role in the Owls’ promotion from League One.
Smith scored the opening goal for the Owls against Peterborough United on that infamous night in the League One play-off semi-final comeback victory.
That goal took his tally to 21 in 49 appearances for the Owls in the 2022/23 to inspire their promotion back to the Championship.
In Wednesday’s first season back in the second tier, Smith endured a testing time in front of goal, scoring only four times in 2023/24 in Rohl’s first season in charge.
Michael Smith’s goalscoring record in 2024/25 and overall for Sheffield Wednesday
However, last season, the Englishman found his shooting boots once again, scoring eight goals and registering six assists in 44 games for Sheffield Wednesday to solidify the club’s 12th-placed finish alongside frontman Windass.
In a summer of hammer blows for Sheffield Wednesday supporters, the emotional exit of club legend Smith will take the Owls faithful a long time to recover from.