Massimo Luongo admits he loves football again after leaving Sheffield Wednesday in 2022

Murphy claimed ten goal contributions in his only season at Hillsborough, while Windass became a bit of a hero.

There have also been disappointing arrivals, with Massimo Luongo one whose poor injury record hampered his success on Wednesday.

The midfielder arrived from QPR in 2019 and was constantly in and out of the team, with several injuries during the 2020-21 campaign leading to him making just 12 appearances as the Owls were relegated.

Luongo impressed slightly more in Ligue 1 and was named in one player of the month and two teams of the week, although he was still left out of the matchday squad on 17 occasions.

Despite being offered a new contract, Luongo opted to leave Wednesday for a fresh start in 2022.

He joined Middlesbrough where things took a turn for the worse, failing to make a single appearance for the club.

Luongo joined Ipswich Town and went on to enjoy a fairytale run, winning back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

The Australian looked to be in real decline less than two years ago but is now a Premier League player and has now admitted he can “finally enjoy football again”.

Massimo Luongo proved the doubters wrong

Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times, Luongo said: “Even before I signed for Middlesbrough, I had to make a decision about whether to go back to the A-League.

“Nobody really wanted me (after he left Sheffield Wednesday). It was a strange window. The teams were pretty full and it was hard to get a club. I got to Middlesbrough, I didn’t play and he said: ‘Let me sort out my life outside of football.’

“I came here with the chance that I can enjoy football again, maybe. I was thinking, “You don’t have to play, just get back into the love of the game.”

“Who would have thought that 18 months later we would be in this position. It was a hell of a scenario for me to play.

“When I came back last year I felt like I had a little unfinished business. I didn’t think it would lead to the Premier League but I’m so glad it did.”

When asked how he feels playing against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes, Luongo replied: “I don’t care! Every game will obviously be ridiculously difficult, but I’m there! As long as I get on the field or make the team, I’ll be happy.

“I came here not expecting to play much. I didn’t expect to play so much this season. It was good to prove some of the doubters wrong and let’s enjoy football again.”

Should Sheffield Wednesday regret letting him go?

Massimo Luongo was another player whose career seemed ruined by injuries, but leaving Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough turned out to be the best thing he could have done.

The Owls certainly shouldn’t regret letting him go, as he could have been at Hillsborough for years and possibly never improved.

Clearly, Luongo needed a fresh start and it really worked for him.

Hopefully Wednesday will soon join him in the top flight as Danny Rohl has easily been one of the most exciting managers in the Championship behind Kieran McKenna himself.

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