Michael Hector is a player that will be fondly remembered by Sheffield Wednesday supporters for his services to the club in his loan spell at Hillsborough. 

The centre-back spent the 2018/19 campaign on loan with the Owls, and made a positive impact, although he was unable to guide them into the Premier League in his time with the Championship side.

However, hopes of him returning to Sheffield Wednesday were dashed relatively quickly, as he agreed to sign for Fulham on a permanent deal from Premier League side Chelsea.

Due to the deal being finalised late into 2019, Hector only made his Fulham debut back in January against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and has put in a number of impressive performances in his time with the club to date.

The 27-year-old has made 13 appearances in total for the Cottagers this term, as they sit third in the second tier standings with nine games remaining in this year's campaign.

Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Hector revealed that he found it tough to get into a routine with his family whilst playing for Sheffield Wednesday, and claimed that he needed to look towards the long-term future.

"My son was born towards the end of my loan at Hull and, while I enjoyed playing in Sheffield the following year, after that loan I couldn’t do it anymore. 

"I realised that about halfway through last season. We found it hard getting my son into a routine, even when he was up with me in Sheffield, and just needed to be able to plan a bit more long-term. It didn’t matter whether it was in London, wherever. I needed to put some proper roots down."

Hector went on to reveal that he is keen to test himself at the highest level possible, and felt that he can build something at Fulham this season.

"I want to play at the top level, I am still ambitious, but I have to do right by my family as well. Moving around each year started to feel selfish. It was the right time to go to a club where I could build something."

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The Verdict: 

They could certainly do with a player of his quality in their team nowadays.

Hector was brilliant for Sheffield Wednesday in his time with the club and I'm sure the Owls would have been keen to make his loan spell a permanent move at the time, but it's understandable that his family life comes first.

A move from Chelsea to Fulham would have suited him much better, and it's good to see him thriving with Scott Parker's side this season in the Championship.

I think he'll play a key role in their promotion bid this season, heading into the final nine games of this year's campaign.