Gabriel Agbonlahor reacts to Sheffield Wednesday situation | OneFootball

Former Aston Villa forward and pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has shared his reaction to the latest Sheffield Wednesday takeover developments.

After a difficult period, a new era is set to get underway at Sheffield Wednesday as Arise Capital Partners close in on a takeover of the club.

It has been a nightmare season for Wednesday, who were relegated from the Championship in February and are on course to finish the campaign on minus points, while the club remains in administration over six months on from former owner Dejphon Chansiri's exit.

While Chansiri's departure was greeted by celebration from the Owls fanbase, it has been a lengthy and turbulent takeover process, with initial preferred bidder James Bord withdrawing from the running to buy the club in February.

However, that opened the door for Arise — a consortium led by David Storch — to be granted preferred bidder status, and after the American businessman set a target of 1st May to complete his takeover of the club, it seems he is on course to meet that deadline.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen revealed that he was optimistic the takeover would be finalised ahead of the final game of the Championship season against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

With an announcement believed to be imminent, Storch is expected to be in attendance at Hillsborough this weekend, along with his son Michael and fellow consortium member Tom Costin, and the sell-out crowd will be hoping to celebrate the start of a new era.

Gabriel Agbonlahor reacts as David Storch closes in on Sheffield Wednesday takeover

Wednesday's plight has gained plenty of media coverage over the last year, with a number of former players, managers and pundits expressing their sympathy for the club and calling for a solution to be found.

Of course, the turmoil at Hillsborough will have been particularly difficult to watch for those with a connection to the club, including ex-Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor, who made seven appearances during a loan spell with the Owls in 2005.

As the news broke about a potential takeover breakthrough on Friday morning, Agbonlahor was live on talkSPORT, and he gave his reaction to the latest developments, revealing his hope that brighter days will be ahead for his former club.

"I was there on loan as a 19-year-old, and the fan base they have got Sheffield Wednesday... I feel sorry for them [for what they have gone through]. Hopefully, there are better times ahead," Agbonlahor said.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters will share Gabriel Agbonlahor hope as David Storch era begins

It has been an incredibly tough period for everyone connected with Wednesday, but it appears that there may finally be some light at the end of the tunnel.

While Storch will ultimately be judged on results, he has certainly made a positive early impression on the Owls fanbase with his open and honest communication on social media, and his plan to bring back the popular old badge has also been well received.

Storch also appears to be making plans to implement a proper management structure at the club, with departing Sunderland chief business officer David Bruce lined up as a potential new CEO, while he is also plotting a move for Portsmouth's Richard Hughes as sporting director, as FLW exclusively revealed on Friday.

As Arise's bid does not meet the EFL's rule requiring creditors to be paid 25p in the pound, Wednesday are expected to be hit with a 15-point deduction in League One next season, but although there may be further short-term pain ahead, there is certainly reason for optimism about the future under Storch.