Scotland international Stuart Armstrong has been released by Sheffield Wednesday just 105 days after ending his stint in Major League Soccer with Vancouver Whitecaps to join the EFL Championship side. The 51-cap former Celtic midfielder signed with the Hillsborough club on transfer deadline day in January, choosing to cut short his time in Canada despite only joining the Whitecaps as a free agent in September, following the expiration of his Southampton contract the previous summer.
The 33-year-old had been a target for both Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion during the summer, with both clubs aiming for a playoff spot in the Championship. Armstrong was reportedly eager to make a return to the Premier League. However, his impact was limited, as he started just six matches in the second half of the season. The team’s promotion hopes faded, and they finished 12th in the league standings. Armstrong’s last appearance for the Owls came in April during a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, and now, with the club announcing their retained list, it has been confirmed that he will be released this summer.
Armstrong will enter the free-agent market for the second consecutive summer, joining several other departures from Hillsborough, including Ben Hamer, Ryo Hatsuse, Michael Ihiekwe, Marvin Johnson, Pol Valentin, and Mallik Wilks. The club released a brief statement thanking all the departing players for their contributions and wishing them success in their futures.
In contrast, former Rangers forward Josh Windass has secured a contract extension at Sheffield Wednesday. The club exercised an option in his deal to retain him for another year. Alongside Windass, fellow former Scotland internationals Barry Bannan and Callum Paterson have also been offered new contracts. Windass, who spent two seasons at Ibrox before leaving for Wigan Athletic when Steven Gerrard arrived in 2018, joined the Owls in 2020. He has since become a key player over six seasons. Despite a surprising January link to Brazilian side Santos, the 31-year-old will now embark on his seventh campaign with Sheffield Wednesday after a strong last season where he scored 13 league goals in 44 appearances.
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