Urby Emanuelson has admitted was forced to accept the Owls’ terms.
New Sheffield Wednesday signing Urby Emanuelson has told the Star he was forced to accept the club’s terms before signing for the Owls.
Emanuelson, who won a Serie A title with AC Milan, was a free agent after leaving Hellas Verona, for whom he featured just 11 times, at the end of last season.
That followed another short stint at Atalanta and, perhaps understandably, the 17-cap Dutch international was keen to secure a longer-term contract at his next club.
But Wednesday, who failed to lure left-backs Joe Bennett and Morgan Fox to Hillsborough during the summer transfer window, were only prepared to offer Emanuelson a deal until the end of the season, initially.
“I wanted two years but they wanted one plus one,” the 30-year-old admitted, as quoted by the Star. “We negotiated about it. We ended up with a one year. I would have preferred a longer deal but I’m happy with what I have.”
Emanuelson was quoted in the Dutch press this week as having claimed to be among Wednesday’s top earners.
But in an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield on Tuesday, the versatile left-sider insisted it was the advice of his family, and not finances, which convinced him to sign for the Owls.
Emanuelson, who alongside Thomas Vermaelen was named Ajax talent of the year in 2006, could make his debut in the Owls’ Championship fixture against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
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