After months of searching for a new club, Sheffield Wednesday icon Adam Reach has finally signed a permanent deal with League One promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers. The former Owl left West Bromwich Albion over the summer and had spent the following months seeking to find his next opportunity.
The signing of Reach was announced on Wycombe’s website, as the club seeks to solidify its roster for the push toward securing promotion back to the Championship. They recently filled their managerial vacancy by appointing Mike Dodds, who was previously assistant head coach at Sunderland.
Following the announcement, Wycombe’s Chief Football Officer Dan Rice expressed excitement, stating, “Adam is a player of vast experience which will be vitally important for us in achieving our objective this season and we’re really pleased to welcome him to the club.” He added, “He carries a real goal threat in attacking positions but is also capable of playing at full-back, so to have someone of his versatility will be a big help to the team.”
This period has been challenging for Reach, who admitted to feeling “daunted” at being without a club for several months. His pathway to Wycombe included trials with Swansea City and rumors of potential moves to clubs like Carlisle United, but these opportunities did not pan out until now.
At 32, Reach hopes to demonstrate he still has much to offer, stating his belief he has six to eight years left in his playing career. His background includes significant time at Sheffield Wednesday, where he made over 200 appearances and scored 21 goals across five seasons. He began his professional career at Middlesbrough, showcasing his talents through various loan spells before solidifying his place at clubs like Preston North End and finally West Brom.
Last season at West Brom, Reach made 19 appearances, but as his contract expired, he found himself without obligations, leading to this new chapter with the Chairboys.
The timing of his signing could see him debut this weekend against Preston North End, one of his former teams, as Wycombe competes in the FA Cup fourth round. Rice, emphasizing the strategic nature of recruitment, noted, “We’ve been working extremely hard on our recruitment, long before the window opened, and we’ll be ending the window in an extremely strong position once we’ve completed our business.”
Reach becomes the club's ninth signing of the winter transfer window as Wycombe looks to bolster its squad for the remaining season. They also welcomed several new players, including defenders and midfielders, showcasing their commitment to enhancing their roster.
Wycombe holds the second spot on the League One table, trailing Birmingham City by four points but maintaining a safe margin above third-place Wrexham. With Reach now on board, the team adds depth and experience to their ranks at a pivotal stage of the season.
Reflecting on his past and future, Reach has displayed a readiness to adapt as necessary. “I would have loved to have signed. But when he’s going for £5m it shows it’s not a level playing field when it relates to finances,” he remarked, bringing insight to his prior transfer situations.
With aspirations of helping Wycombe ascend to the Championship, Adam Reach's return to professional football is anticipated not only by him but also by the fans and management at Adams Park.
His experience and versatility could be monumental as Wycombe seeks to solidify their status and performance going forward, and as expectations rise with the closing window and upcoming matches, all eyes are on how quickly Reach can contribute to the club's goals.