Jamaican defender extends stay with Sheffield Wednesday

LONDON (CMC):

Jamaica international Di’Shon Bernard said he has ambitious plans after he signed a contract extension with English League Championship outfit, Sheffield Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Jamaican joined the Owls – as Wednesday are known – last summer after leaving English Premier League giants, Manchester United and signed a new three-year deal with the club on Friday.

Bernard committed his future to the club ahead of a trip by the first team to Germany and Austria this week – and he will board the plane with his teammates to kick-start his preparations for the 2024-25 campaign.

The towering defender will be greeted by no fewer than nine new signings at Wednesday, including fellow Jamaica teammate Jamal Lowe, as well as former Chelsea youth teammate Nathaniel Chalobah and former Man United forward Charlie McNeill.

“I’ve seen the signings come in, and I’ve spoken to a few of the boys, it sounds like the level has gone up, so credit to the guys that have come in,” he said.

“It looks like they’ve hit the ground running. I obviously know a few of the guys that have come in; Jamz, Nathaniel, Charlie. They’ve all hit the ground running and are doing well, so hopefully that can be a big plus for us in the season coming.”

Bernard proved a big hit with the Owls last season, making 36 appearances in blue and white across all competitions.

He said his relationship with the Owls head coach Danny Röhl heavily influenced his decision to return for the 2024-25 campaign – and he said his ambition for the coming season was to take the club back to the Premier League.

“Me and the gaffer have a really great relationship,” he said. “I know his talent and we both have the same goal, the same picture at the end of the tunnel, which is to get to the Premier League. Hopefully, we can do that together with Sheffield Wednesday and get back there.”

Bernard returned to the club after fulfilling international commitments with the Reggae Boyz, as the Jamaica men’s national team are known, during the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and then the Copa America, taking his tally of caps to 17.

Wednesday finished 20th, on 53 points, only three points above the relegation zone in the 24-team League Championship table last season.

They open the 2024-25 season against Plymouth Argyle, coached by former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, on Sunday, August 11, on home soil.