Dominic Iorfa pens heartfelt message to Sheffield Wednesday fans as Owls exit confirmed | OneFootball

Dominic Iorfa has sent an emotional farewell message to Sheffield Wednesday supporters after his exit from Hillsborough was announced.

A new era is underway at Sheffield Wednesday after David Storch completed his takeover of the club.

It was a nightmare season for Wednesday as they were relegated from the Championship after picking up just two wins all season, while they also spent over six months in administration following former owner Dejphon Chansiri's exit in October.

However, after a lengthy takeover process, Storch's Arise Capital Partners consortium officially finalised their takeover of the Owls earlier this month, and it is fair to say they have made a positive early impression at Hillsborough.

Despite fears of a fresh sanction, Wednesday will not be hit with a 15-point deduction in League One next season, with Chansiri deemed to have been obstructive after Storch attempted to reach out to him to strike a deal over his debt, while in another major success for the new ownership, the club will also not be subject to a £7,000 weekly wage cap or a £7 million seasonal spend limit.

With Storch now in place, the Owls can begin work on what is likely to be a big summer rebuild, and it was announced on Saturday morning that senior duo Liam Cooper and Jarvis Thornton have been offered new contracts, while options have been exercised on the likes of Liam Palmer, Ernie Weaver, Svante Ingelsson and George Brown.

However, there are also a number of players leaving Wednesday at the end of their current deals this summer, including the likes of Nathaniel Chalobah, Marvelous Nakamba and Rio Shipston, but long-serving defender Dominic Iorfa is perhaps the most high-profile exit.

Dominic Iorfa sends Sheffield Wednesday message after Hillsborough exit announced

Iorfa became the first signing of Steve Bruce's brief reign as Wednesday manager when he joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2019 for a reported fee of around £500,000.

The 30-year-old went on to score seven goals and provide five assists in 222 games for the Owls, and he was a regular for Henrik Pedersen's men this season, netting once in 34 appearances.

Iorfa has attracted plenty of interest from elsewhere over the past seven-and-a-half years, particularly in the summer of 2023 when he was linked with Preston North End and Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb, but he remained loyal to Wednesday.

However, amid reports of suitors from higher divisions, Iorfa has opted to depart Hillsborough when his contract expires at the end of June, and the defender took to social media on Saturday morning to share a heartfelt message with Owls supporters after his exit was confirmed.

"After seven and a half years and eight seasons, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Sheffield Wednesday," Iorfa wrote on Instagram.

"I've been proud to wear the shirt and represent this club. There's been plenty of ups and downs, but moments like promotion, staying up on the final day and the atmosphere at the last game will stay with me forever.

"To the best fans out there, thank you for the incredible support and for making me and my family feel at home from day one. Hearing 'fastest man in Yorkshire' being sung is something I'll never forget, and it's been a special feeling.

"To my team-mates, past and present, thank you. I've shared the dressing room with some incredible people and made friends for life.

"A big thank you as well to all the staff, physios, coaches and everyone behind the scenes. You've been amazing with me throughout my time here, and I'll forever appreciate it.

"Sheffield will always hold a special place in my heart, especially with my kids being born here and now growing up as Wednesday fans.

"It's been a tough season, but with the new ownership, I'm sure brighter days are ahead, and the club will be back where it belongs. I wish Wednesday all the very best for the future."

Dominic Iorfa departure is a blow for Sheffield Wednesday ahead of League One return

Iorfa may have struggled with injuries at times during his spell with Wednesday, but he was a consistent and reliable defender when fit, with his performances earning him firm fan favourite status at Hillsborough.

Having remained with the club after their previous relegation to League One in 2021, Owls supporters may have been hoping that Iorfa would do the same this time around, but it is hard to blame him for wanting to explore opportunities at higher levels, particularly at this stage of his career.

Losing Iorfa is undoubtedly a big blow for Wednesday, but there were not as many departures announced in the retained list as initially expected, which gives Pedersen a strong foundation on which to build as he begins his summer overhaul of his squad.