Bywater extends Owls stay

Stephen Bywater: Has penned a one-year contract extension at Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Stephen Bywater has penned a one-year contract extension with the Championship new-boys, the club has confirmed.

The 31-year-old, who signed permanently at Hillsborough from Derby in January after a successful loan spell, prolongs his stay after helping the Owls to promotion from League One.

Bywater displaced Nicky Weaver as first-choice keeper for the last four months of the campaign, with manager Dave Jones keeping him in place after taking over from Gary Megson.

The keeper told Wednesday's official website: "It's a no-brainer for me. I was always going to sign as soon as I knew of the offer."

"This is the biggest club outside of the Premiership, and that is a fact."

Competition

Wednesday have bolstered their options between the sticks this summer with the signing of England international Chris Kirkland last month.

Bywater has welcomed the competition for the gloves, adding: "I know Chris really well from our days with the England youth team.

"He's a nice lad and a good goalkeeper and I'm looking forward to working with him again.

"We also have Nicky Weaver and Arron Jameson, so we are looking strong in that department."