Simon Wilson explains why Billy Mitchell chose to seal Sheffield Wednesday transfer
Sheffield Wednesday have unveiled former Millwall midfielder Billy Mitchell as their ninth signing of the summer transfer window.
Sporting director Simon Wilson has said new recruit Billy Mitchell has decided to join Sheffield Wednesday because of the project being built at Hillsborough, describing him as a player with a “relentless desire to compete”.
The Owls, who secured their first victory of pre-season on Saturday, beating Preston North End 3-2 at the Lilywhites’ Euxton training ground, confirmed Mitchell’s arrival at Hillsborough on Sunday morning. He has joined the club on a three-year deal after recently leaving Millwall.
The midfield enforcer, who had spent his entire career at The Den prior to his recent departure, will bring control and aggression to Wednesday’s midfield pool. He was a regular fixture for Millwall last season, helping them secure a third-placed finish in the Championship.
Mitchell, 25, attracted interest from Watford and reportedly from clubs in Scotland, but he has decided to spend the next chapter of his career at Hillsborough. Wilson has revealed that it was the midfielder’s belief in what is being built in South Yorkshire that convinced him to make the move north.
Wilson told the Owls’ website: “Billy is a player that we believe will thrive at Sheffield Wednesday because of the way he plays the game. He brings a full-blooded commitment and a relentless desire to compete that reflects the identity we are building and will resonate immediately with our supporters.
“He has consistently performed at Championship level in recent years and that experience, combined with his leadership qualities and mentality, will be invaluable for our squad.
Billy had opportunities elsewhere, but he chose Sheffield Wednesday because he believes in what we are building – he also wants to improve every day and we believe he will under Henrik [Pedersen] and our coaching team.
“We are delighted to welcome him to Sheffield Wednesday.”
Mitchell, who is renowned for his strength in the tackle and his neat and tidy approach in possession, has become Wednesday’s ninth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Ricardo Santos, Jordi Liongola, Callum Slattery, Sil Swinkels, Harry Gray, Barry Bannan, Louie Barry and Joe Lumley.
