Liam Cooper and Barry Bannan react to new Max Lowe update at Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Liam Cooper and Barry Bannan have reacted to Max Lowe's new contract at Sheffield Wednesday, with the left-back extending his stay at Hillsborough...

Sheffield Wednesday left-back Max Lowe has comitted to a new contract at Hillsborough, much to the delight of Barry Bannan and Liam Cooper.

Max Lowe was signed on a two-year deal back in 2024 after joining from bitter rivals Sheffield United, with the left-back coming through the ranks at Derby County prior to joining the Blades in 2020 ahead of a season in the Premier League.

Injuries have hampered the 29-year-old in his career but he is comfortably a Championship player when fit and at his best. He played 53 games in three seasons with Sheffield United and 23 with Nottingham Forest on loan in 2021/22.

For Sheffield Wednesday, Lowe has 66 appearances in the last two years but has signed an extension until 2027, with the club holding the option to extend that by another year on top of that as well. It's a real coup for Wednesday as they look to rebuild under David Storch.

How Liam Cooper and Barry Bannan feel about Max Lowe's extension

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Lowe is a popular figure at Hillsborough beyond just his quality as a footballer, with the left-back playing alongside other experienced players like Liam Cooper and Barry Bannan over the last few years in a dressing room of big personalities and leaders.

In the Instagram comments of the announcement, Cooper said: "There he is 🔥🔥🔥"

On top of that, Lowe's former captain for the vast majority of his time at Hillsborough has also liked the post amid Bannan hinting at a return to Sheffield Wednesday recently as well.

Not only that, but Bannan sent Cooper words of praise after he sealed his extension in recent days as well. Bannan has been loving Storch's efforts at Hillsborough thus far in the summer.

Lowe might now be on significant wages after interest from Middesbrough and Derby but having a core of experienced heads who are high quality for the level is likely to be key to gaining promotion at the first time of asking from League One.

Sheffield Wednesday have the dressing room in place to drive standards in League One

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If Sheffield Wednesday are to secure an immediate return to the Championship, building around a strong core of experienced leaders could prove to be the most crucial element. The Owls have assembled a relatively young squad in recent years, but promotion-winning teams often require players who understand the demands and pressures that come with competing at the top end of League One.

That is why Lowe extending his stay is such a positive development, while keeping Cooper and securing Ricardo Santos' services also represents smart business. All three inarguably bring leadership, know-how, and invaluable experience from higher levels of the game.

If Bannan can be tempted back from Millwall too, Wednesday would have another club legend capable of setting standards on and off the pitch. Alongside Liam Palmer, that would give the Owls a vastly experienced spine around which younger players can flourish.

While the next generation may provide the energy and long-term potential, it is often seasoned professionals who drive dressing room culture to maintain standards and help navigate the inevitable ups and downs of a promotion campaign. It's a solid start to their summer for Wednesday, even if so much more is required from here on out.