Done Deal: Sheffield Wednesday Sign Goalkeeper Brayden Daniel Amid Emergency Loan Clearance
Sheffield, August 22, 2025 β Sheffield Wednesday have officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Brayden Daniel on a two-year deal worth β¬600,000, as the club scrambles to address a sudden goalkeeping crisis following an injury to Pierce Charles.
The signing of the 23-year-old American shot-stopper comes after the English Football League (EFL) granted the club emergency dispensation to bring in a goalkeeper, despite existing registration embargoes affecting their transfer activity.
Emergency Measures After Charles Injury
The Owls were left without a senior goalkeeper after Pierce Charles, the 20-year-old Northern Ireland international, suffered a shoulder injury that will sideline him until at least the international break. Charles had started all three of Wednesdayβs Championship matches this season, solidifying his position as the clubβs first-choice keeper.
The injury left manager Henrik Pedersen with no available professional goalkeeper, triggering the EFLβs emergency loan protocol, which allows clubs to sign a keeper outside of the transfer window under exceptional circumstances.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Pedersen confirmed the clearance had been given:
> βI donβt know how, but I have got the information that we have [permission], and we are working to find a solution,β he said. βI hope that we have one very soon. Itβs a difficult situation to get all the things weβre looking for.β
While the club initially sought a short-term fix through emergency loan options, the signing of Brayden Daniel offers a longer-term solution, providing depth and stability between the posts for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Who is Brayden Daniel?
Brayden Daniel arrives from MLS side FC Dallas, where he had featured primarily as a backup but impressed during his loan spell at Sacramento Republic, keeping 7 clean sheets in 15 appearances last season. Known for his shot-stopping reflexes and composure under pressure, Daniel now gets his first taste of European football in the English Championship.
The move to Hillsborough gives the young American a chance to establish himself in one of Europeβs most competitive leagues for goalkeepers.
Tough Start to the Season
The timing of the deal is crucial. Sheffield Wednesday have lost their opening two matches of the season and are still looking for their first points. They travel to Wrexham on Saturday, another club without a win, in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter for both sides.
Pedersen, who took over managerial duties earlier this summer, acknowledged the urgency of securing a dependable presence in goal:
> βWeβre working to find a keeper who can be here for more than just seven days,β he noted, emphasizing the importance of continuity and confidence at the back.
Looking Ahead
With Charles expected to miss at least the next three matches, Brayden Daniel is likely to make his debut immediately. Fans will hope he can provide the calm and reliability needed as the team looks to stabilize a shaky start to their campaign.
The signing also signals that, despite off-field constraints, Sheffield Wednesday remain proactive in navigating a challenging regulatory and injury landscape.