Barry Bannan expressed his admiration for Sheffield Wednesday in one of his most recent social media tweets.

The Millwall midfielder spent ten and a half years with the Owls before joining the Lions during the winter transfer window, despite the South Yorkshire club’s recent financial difficulties.

Wednesday was saved from administration in May by David Storch’s Arise Capital Partners consortium, and they are now on track again.

The Owls are eager to earn promotion from League One at the first attempt, but they have a lot of work to do in the transfer market after losing numerous key players in the previous two windows.

Barry Bannan’s tearful Sheffield Wednesday admission

Bannan made 16 Championship games for Millwall after leaving Wednesday last season, but did not start either of the Lions’ play-off semi-finals against Hull City.

Alex Neil’s side lost the second match 2-0 against eventual promotion winners Hull.

Meanwhile, the Sheffield Star reports that Bannan is close to returning on Wednesday, which will help them gain promotion back to the Championship.

The 36-year-old previously helped the Owls return to the second division, scoring seven goals and assisting 13 times in 2022/23 League One.

On Sunday, a mural of Bannan was revealed at The Park pub in Hillsborough, and the midfielder went to see it with his family.

The former Scotland international posted a snapshot of himself and his family viewing the painting on his Instagram account, captioned, “Best Father’s Day gift ever shared with the best people.”

Bannan’s post illustrates his continued fondness for the Owls, despite the fact that he is due to return to Hillsborough Stadium ahead of next season.

Wednesday will receive their League One fixture list later this week, and the chore of facing third-tier opponents will be made easier if the Millwall player returns to South Yorkshire.

Wednesday supporter excitement increases with Barry Bannan’s comeback news.

Wednesday fans have had a lot of bad news in the recent year, even before Storch took over, as former important players like Josh Windass left Hillsborough last summer.

Failed owner Dejphon Chansiri, who had previously failed to pay staff and player wages on time, then placed the Owls in administration.

The South Yorkshire club’s relegation from the Championship was confirmed in February, when the EFL deducted 18 points.

However, more good news is coming to Hillsborough as a result of Storch’s purchase, and fans are excited about the latest Bannan plans.

On X, one Wednesday fan exclaimed, “He’s coming home, he’s coming home, Barry Bannan is coming back to Hillsborough.”

Another enthusiastic Owls fan wrote, “Lamine Yamal wears Barry Bannan pyjamas.”

Another Wednesday loyal member said: “He has to be coming back!”, which was echoed by another X user who added: “Surely he is resigning now.”

Henrik Pedersen’s team has already expanded their roster by signing Swansea City defender Ricardo Santos, demonstrating Storch’s desire.

The defender previously demonstrated his worth in League One while playing for Bolton Wanderers and could be a reliable presence in Pedersen’s backline.

However, Wednesday supporters are rightfully more enthused by the idea of Bannan’s return, as the midfielder has already given them almost a decade of excellent service.