Sheffield Wednesday have endured a long stint outside the top-flight of English football and their battle to return to the Premier League has seen a host of players pass through the door at Hillsborough. 

There was a point where the Owls slipped into the third-tier, but the bulk of the last 20 years has seen Wednesday battling to get back into the Premier League, with zero success to date.

The current group of players at Hillsborough seem to be reaching the end of their peak, which is likely going to force Garry Monk into a reshuffle when the summer transfer window can eventually open.

Quiz: Have Sheffield Wednesday done these 15 things in the last 10 years? – Yes or no?

 

But what about those that came and went before the class of 2019/20? Where did they end up?

We pick out a handful whose destination might’ve surprised you…

Marcus Tudgay

Tudgay surpassed 200 appearances for the Owls during his time at Hillsborough, whilst he also had spells with Nottingham Forest and Coventry City on the back of his departure.

Currently, aged 37, he’s playing for South Normanton Athletic, who are members of the Midland League Premier Division.

Lee Grant  

The goalkeeper is another player to have passed 100 appearances for Wednesday, with Grant passing through Hillsborough between 2007 and 2010.

He’s fairly well travelled, but is now on the books with Manchester United, serving as their third choice goalkeeper.

It’s a popular theme for a Premier League club to have a third choice stopper, which has landed Grant a surprising move.

Gary Hooper

Hooper was part of the Wednesday squad in pursuit of the Premier League under Carlos Carvalhal, but injuries eventually got the better of him and he departed Hillsborough last year.

Now, the striker is with Wellington Phoenix, plying his trade in the Australian A-League.

He’s also made appearances for Wellington’s reserve side.

Royston Drenthe

Drenthe had spells with Feyenoord and Real Madrid ahead of his move to England, with Everton, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday all offering the forward a chance.

Since 2019, Drenthe has been on the book with Kozakken Boys, with his career taking him to the third-tier of Dutch football.

Quite the fall from the likes of Real Madrid.

Jay Bothroyd

Bothroyd had a loan spell with Wednesday in 2012/13, with the well-travelled striker making little impact during his time in South Yorkshire.

As well travelled as he was, it was a surprise when Bothroyd decided to take on Asia, heading to Thailand and Japan.

Now, he is with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the J1 League.