Ex-Chelsea player in 'pole position' to seal Sheffield Wednesday transfer | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday are eyeing the addition of a free agent before the 26 March deadline

Zain Silcott-Duberry is in pole position to join Sheffield Wednesday as a free agent following Yan Valery’s exit.

According to The Star, the 20-year-old has been brought back by the Owls for a second look after he had been training with the first team squad.

There is a slot available in Henrik Pedersen’s squad for a free agent due to Valery’s departure to SC Young Boys on loan earlier this month.

The club have been weighing up their options, with a deadline of the fourth Thursday in March set for when teams can no longer register players out of contract, which is 26 March.

Silcott-Duberry is currently a free agent after his contract with Olympiacos was terminated ahead of the January transfer window’s deadline.

Sheffield Wednesday target ex-Chelsea academy player

Sheffield Wednesday are close to making a decision on whether to sign Silcott-Duberry as a free agent.

The forward is currently in pole position to take the final slot in Pedersen’s squad, as the club weighs up a last addition to bolster the team.

The Yorkshire outfit have already made a number of free agent signings this season due to their difficult financial position, including Liam Cooper.

Nathan Redmond also joined the club earlier in the campaign, but he has since departed again.

However, Silcott-Duberry could be the latest arrival, with the team looking set to be relegated from the Championship as soon as this weekend.

The 20-year-old has trained with the first team squad already in preparation of a potential move, with the Owls taking a close look at him before making a final decision.

Silcott-Duberry was previously a part of Chelsea’s academy system before joining Bournemouth in 2025.

Next up for Sheffield Wednesday is a trip to Bramall Lane to face bitter rivals Sheffield United on 22 February in a 12pm kick-off.

Zain Silcott-Duberry addition highlights lack of options for Sheffield Wednesday

The free agent market won’t have a ton of names that Sheffield Wednesday can realistically sign at this stage.

Bringing in Silcott-Duberry is a testament to that, as he’s quite inexperienced at senior level and it remains to be seen what kind of impact he could have at a Championship level.

The 20-year-old could prove a smart option, particularly as he is still young and thus the cost won’t be too high and he does have room to improve as a player longer-term.