Sheffield Wednesday icon Fernando Forestieri drops fresh future update | OneFootball

The former Owls legend is seeking a return to English football this season.

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Watford forward Fernando Forestieri is seeking a return to English football this summer, detailing his ambition of moving back to the Championship, as well as being open to League One.

The 36-year-old remains a free agent heading into the 2026-27 campaign after leaving Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol, but is hopeful he will be able to secure a move back to England following other stints in Malaysia and Italy since his Owls departure.

Forestieri has been part of the PFA’s pre-season training camp, which is a fully-funded, 12-week residential programme in Leicestershire and designed to mirror elite club preparations to help free agents maintain fitness and find new clubs.

So far, the Italian is yet to find a new home, but has set lofty ambitions about the level of football he wants to play at back in England, which could well attract some potential suitors given the forward still has immense confidence in his game.

Fernando Forestieri drops future update

Speaking to the PFA and posted on their official X account, Fernando Forestieri, who spent eight years between 2012 and 2020 in England with Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, has detailed how he wants to make a return to the Championship this season, but has remained open to dropping down to League One, should an offer become available.

Forestieri said: “At the moment, training at home and in the gym is not the same, because you have the coach, fitness coach, physios and an amazing group to train with, so that is the next level to push you to keep fit, so it’s very nice to be here.

“It’s my first time (at the PFA) but it’s not the end of the world as in every situation I adapt, but for me, it’s good, it’s a new experience, and it’s nice to train, so let’s see if I can find something.

“I’m feeling good. I know I can push myself to be at a high level, Championship and League One.

“For me, the target is the Championship, but any league is fine, just to play because I miss playing here, and it doesn’t matter the league, so whatever comes, I’m ready.”

How Sheffield Wednesday fans have reacted to Fernando Forestieri future update

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Fernando Forestieri may have to settle for League One move

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While Fernando Forestieri does still hold ambitions of returning to the Championship this season, it’s difficult to see a club who will be interested in securing his services.

At 36, Forestieri has netted just five times over the last two seasons, not to mention the levels in Malaysia and Cyprus are nowhere near what is faced by players over in England.

While he does possess extensive Championship experience by making over 200 appearances during his career, his age and lack of goalscoring prowess in the last couple of years may be enough to see second tier sides avoid making a move, but there could well be a few League One clubs who may be tempted to hand him a route back into English football before the 1st September deadline.