Harry Gray reveals how Sheffield Wednesday fans helped seal Leeds transfer | OneFootball

Harry Gray has revealed the main reasons why he chose to sign with Sheffield Wednesday over a number of League One rivals

Harry Gray will be spending the upcoming campaign back in League One, as the highly-rated Leeds United frontman was sent out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday.

The 17-year-old has a glowing record in the academy at Leeds, and after netting 11 times in the under-21s in the first half of last season, including a couple against EFL opposition in the Vertu Trophy, he was sent on loan to Rotherham United in January.

The Millers were a sinking ship in 2026, and while Gray couldn't help stave off relegation to League Two, he still managed to net three times in 20 games at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The expectations were that this season, he'd be sent to a better side in the third tier, with the hope of kicking on even further, and the young frontman had his pick of League One sides hoping to provide the environment for him to improve.

Sheffield Wednesday were the club chosen, but they had rival interest, mainly from Huddersfield Town, as Leeds ideally looked to send him to a fellow Yorkshire-based side.

Why Harry Gray chose Sheffield Wednesday as his next club

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Sheffield Wednesday stated in their announcement of Gray opting for them as the club he'd be spending 2026/27 with that they'd beaten out interest from sides in the Championship for his signature, alongside some top League One clubs, too.

The 17-year-old put his decision down to the positive atmosphere surrounding the club under the new Arise ownership, and the swell of support that the Owls have received ahead of the new campaign getting underway.

"There were quite a few clubs interested, but it was an easy decision because this is such a big club," Gray said.

"It's crazy to think about 24,000 season tickets in League One and the timing is perfect, as I have a full pre-season to settle in.

"Hillsborough is a special stadium when the fans get going, and I think this year, with everything going on around the place, it should be unbelievable and hopefully a season to remember. It's the perfect place for me."

Gray's switch to Sheffield Wednesday will see him roared on in one of the biggest stadiums in the EFL, which will be apt for him to get exposure to ahead of what Leeds hope will be a long and successful future for him at Elland Road in the coming years.

The 17-year-old reunites with a familiar face in Liam Cooper, and will be hoping that they can replicate some of that success at Leeds over the coming year at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday have a brilliant atmosphere to lure prospective signings this summer

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There's no doubt that the optimism surrounding Sheffield Wednesday this summer is the highest it's been in a long time at Hillsborough, and that can only be a good thing when it comes to attracting new signings.

The Owls may have had location on their side when it came to the Gray switch, but Daniel Farke would have been incredibly meticulous when deciding where to send their 17-year-old starlet, and wouldn't have sent him to a club he didn't think the striker could grow at.

So, there'll be plenty of hope and expectation that the same could be said about other prospective arrivals at Hillsborough between now and the transfer window's closure on September 1st.

Sheffield Wednesday have always been seen as a big, attractive club at League One level, even under the reign of Dejphon Chansiri, who hardly invested in the facilities while the club were in the third tier.

Now there's more belief that the Owls are back on the up again and are being run properly; spending a season at Hillsborough couldn't be more of a no-brainer for young prospective loanees.