How Mallik Wilks is getting on in Türkiye after Sheffield Wednesday exit - Owls fans may be surprised | OneFootball

The winger was one of several players to leave Hillsborough in the summer

Sheffield Wednesday's current situation has been spoken about at length, with the historic club tipped by many for relegation to League One whilst the immediate and long-term future of the club remains in serious jeopardy.

The Owls regained their Championship status back in May 2023 and have since been able to reconsolidate their position in the second tier after two prior seasons in League One. However, the chances of repeating such tricks this time around are extremely slim, with Henrik Pedersen effectively operating with one hand tied behind his back due to transfer embargoes and transfer fee restrictions that remain in place as a result of Dejphon Chansiri's controversial running of the club.

The Thai owner has been the subject of many headlines in recent years, and they began once again at the turn of the year as those among the Owls ranks and club staff had failed to receive their wage payments for the month of March on time. This set alarm bells ringing at the time, and such developments continued to play out over the course of the summer, which led to a mass exodus of players and the departure of Danny Rohl, just nine days before the beginning of the league season.

One of those to leave Hillsborough was experienced winger Mallik Wilks, who had previously been the subject of transfer interest after failing to become part of Rohl's plans during the German's one full season at Hillsborough.

With that being said, the 26-year-old has somewhat reignited his career since, and Owls supporters may be surprised at whom he is achieving such feats alongside.

Mallik Wilks struggled during his Sheffield Wednesday spell

After previously netting 19 goals and posting a further eight assists during Hull City's 2020/21 League One title-winning campaign, Wilks' move to Hillsborough in the summer of 2022 looked a shrewd deal for then-Owls boss, Darren Moore.

Yet despite the club's eventual promotion success at the hands of Peterborough United and Barnsley in what was, arguably, the most dramatic play-off campaign of all-time, Wilks only made five starts in the league due to fitness issues, scoring once and providing a further five assists.

After struggling for regular minutes the following campaign despite an FA Cup strike against Cardiff City, Wilks enjoyed a beneficial loan spell with Rotherham United last season, accumulating 13 goal contributions in 41 appearances.

Amid a much-improved period, Wilks became the subject of transfer talk from clubs in Turkey, Bulgaria and Cyprus respectively. Yet, whilst Konyaspor were interested in prizing him to the Turkish Süper Lig, Wilks has started life on the continent in impressive fashion with second tier outfit, Pendikspor, alongside another household EFL name.

Mallik Wilks and Jonson Clarke-Harris have formed strong Pendikspor partnership

Given Wilks' versatile nature, it is perhaps unsurprising that the 26-year-old has featured across the frontline in the early stages of his spell at the Pendik Stadium.

After completing his free transfer, Wilks' spell with his new employers couldn't have started better with a smart finish against Bodrum in a 1-1 draw, before making his home debut in a 2-0 success over Bandirmaspor the following week.

The Leeds-born man was then instrumental in an enthralling 3-3 draw with Erzurumspor, in which he scored and assisted alongside former Rotherham, Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers frontman Jonson Clarke-Harris, who opened his account in the same fixture.

Wilks has since posted an assist in a 2-1 win over Sivasspor, before netting in Pendikspor's most recent outing, a 2-0 away success at Sariyer, which leaves 'Pendik' fifth in the table after six games with 11 points, three behind league leaders Corum.

Meanwhile, Clarke-Harris added his second for the club against Amed SK on September 14th, showcasing the partnership that has already been struck up between two former EFL regulars, who are looking to fire their new employers into the Turkish top flight.