The number Barry Bannan is set to wear at Millwall - Sheffield Wednesday fans will love it | OneFootball

Barry Bannan's number at his new club nods to Sheffield Wednesday's history

After over a decade of service, Sheffield Wednesday legend Barry Bannan departed the club this past week, signing for Championship rivals Millwall.

The 36-year-old has been the face of the Hillsborough-based club since 2015, making 477 appearances, and underwent an emotional goodbye last weekend following Wednesday's defeat at Bristol City.

Now, Sheffield Wednesday fans, and Championship fans alike, will have to get used to the strange sight of seeing Bannan in a different shirt, as he looks to help fellow countryman Alex Neil's Millwall side in their ongoing promotion push.

While he does, though, he'll be carrying his Wednesday past with him, as shown through the number he has chosen to wear at his new club.

Barry Bannan's shirt number at Millwall is a nod to Sheffield Wednesday's inception

It was revealed via some training photos ahead of Millwall's match against Wednesday's neighbours, Sheffield United, this weekend, that Bannan will be wearing the number 67 at the Den.

January transfers often have to settle for numbers outside the traditional 1–11 starting batch, but number 67 is a little more unorthodox than usual. Many questioned the meaning behind it, but Sheffield Wednesday fans knew instantly.

Indeed, the Owls were established in 1867, and plenty of Wednesdayites are taking his new number as a subtle nod to the club where he is well-regarded as a legend.

Bannan is in line to make his debut on Saturday against Sheffield United, a side he never managed to beat during his time at Hillsborough. Not only will Wednesday fans appreciate the number he's chosen to wear, but they'll also hope the 36-year-old can play a part in ensuring all three points stay in South London this weekend.

Sheffield Wednesday will always have a special place in Barry Bannan's heart

Only five players have made more appearances in Sheffield Wednesday's storied history than Bannan. He stuck with the club through early play-off heartache, League One relegation, their dramatic promotion back and then through the financial turmoil of late, too.

Evidently, he is a modern-day legend at the club, and Wednesday fans have appreciated him more than anyone else over the last decade, a feeling that has clearly been reciprocated.

Wednesdayites will be hoping that this departure is more of a "see you later" than a real goodbye, and once the takeover process and subsequent rebuild have been and gone, he can return for one final playing run, or even as a member of the coaching staff.

But for now, they'll have to get used to seeing Bannan in a different shade of blue, and there'll be a few honorary Millwall fans between now and May, as those at Hillsborough would love nothing more than to see the 36-year-old succeed and win that Premier League promotion that he never could during his time at Sheffield Wednesday.