Sheffield Wednesday have added further League One experience to their squad ahead of the new season.
The Owls are preparing for their return to the third tier after a disastrous campaign, both on and off the pitch, last season.
Under their new ownership, Sheffield Wednesday have already confirmed 10 new signings and have just confirmed new signing number 11.
The latest face to come through the door at Hillsborough is 27-year-old goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Sheffield Wednesday Sign Ashley Maynard-Brewer
Sheffield Wednesday confirmed on their website that Maynard-Brewer has signed for the club on a free transfer after a brief spell at Dundee United in Scotland.
Speaking in his first interview since joining the League One side, the keeper expressed his excitement about the move:
“I’m super happy to be here. It seems like a really positive environment. I had a good chat with Darryl Flahavan last week and he just sounded so optimistic about the season.
“I’m really excited about the next few weeks and really getting to work with the guys, they are very welcoming.
“Obviously, with being part of a big club, there’s responsibility that comes with that and the high expectations, which is to get out of this league and get promoted. I can tell already that everyone’s on board with that and working towards that target.”
Wednesday’s new Sporting Director Simon Wilson added his opinion on the new signing, saying:
“At 27, Ash has significant experience playing in the EFL, having spent eight seasons at Charlton Athletic. He has been a part of successful teams — either as a number one or two — and tested himself in different environments through several development loans.
“We believe he will be a great addition to our squad and add important competition to our goalkeeping ranks as we prepare for the challenges ahead.”
Mixed Bag North of the Border
Maynard-Brewer joined Dundee United from Charlton Athletic in January.
His time in Scotland was a mixed bag. He received an average Sofascore rating of 6.83 but did produce two heroic displays in his 10 Scottish Premiership games.
In his debut against Hearts, the 27-year-old received a Sofascore rating of 8.5; that’s despite conceding three against the team that finished second. He made eight saves in the game, all from inside the box.
Against the eventual champions Celtic, Maynard-Brewer received an eight rating as his side beat the Glasgow side 2-0. In that game, he made three saves, preventing 0.93 goals.
In total, he conceded 1.7 goals in 10 league games, while making 2.5 saves per game.
Final Piece of the Goalkeeping Department
Maynard-Brewer is likely the final goalkeeping signing for the Owls, and his signature comes less than 24 hours after Connal Trueman signed on a free transfer.
The pair will link with Joe Lumley, who also signed this summer, completing what is a solid-looking goalkeeping department.
It’s a stark difference to what Henrik Pedersen had last season.
The Owls’ only permanent senior goalkeeper was Pierce Charles, and when he was injured, the club relied on several emergency loans.
The stability of having three permanent senior goalkeepers will add reassurance to staff, players, and fans that if one picks up an injury or is out of form, there’s another keeper ready to step in.
