Sheffield Wednesday have confirmed in their 2019/20 retained list that Steven Fletcher has ‘declined’ a new contract. The 33-year-old’s deal is up next week and Wednesday hoped to extend it so he could see out the rest of the season. Fletcher will be a free agent in a matter of days, however, and has shown no desire to play a part in the Owls’ remaining eight games.
The Scottish international joined Wednesday on a free transfer from Sunderland in 2016 and has gone on to make 136 appearances in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and making nine assists. Fletcher has impressed under Garry Monk, scoring 13 goals and making two assists in 30 games this season, but his efforts have done little for Wednesday’s promotion hopes.
The Owls currently sit 15th in the Championship with 49 points from 38 games, coming off the back of two defeats and a draw from their last three. Wednesday are eight points adrift of the top-six with 24 points available and find themselves an equal distance from the playoffs and relegation zone, so their struggles may have a bearing on Fletcher’s decision.
Nevertheless, it’s a sad way to end his four-year association with Wednesday.
