The enigmatic attacker, who scored 40 goals and claimed 17 assists in a whirlwind 134-appearance stint with the Owls, left the club in 2020 before signing with Italian side Udinese. Two years putting up a remarkable tally of 75 direct goal contributions in 72 matches with Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim followed before he left the club last year.
The Argentina-born Italy youth cap made his return to Hillsborough in a charity match staged on Friday evening in aid of the Youth Cancer Trust. A legends side including Forestieri, Ross Wallace, Daniel Pudil and Lee Bullen won 10-7.
Forestieri’s two play-off memories of Hillsborough are conflicting in nature; a star turn in a 2-0 win over Brighton that set Hillsborough to maximum volume and Wednesday on their course to Wembley – and a goalless draw with Huddersfield Town in which the now 35-year-old missed a penalty to see them hurtle out at the semi-final stage.
“Always I say thank you to the fans. The first time I came here they support me and the team of course, but really I have a special feeling for the fans because we have a link. I feel they love me and really I love the club and these fans.”
His last game came as far back as June last year but the former Wednesday man is targeting a return to English football for his next move. With 204 total appearances at Championship level – he signed for the Owls from Watford – the free agent is hopeful of a return to the second tier, or League One.
“I am training hard,” he said. “I played in Italy, in Serie A, and then in Malaysia. Now I am back and I am training and looking for a team. Let’s see what happens, I am looking for a team in the Championship or League One or whatever. I keep training and let’s see if I can find a team. If it is here (England) it is better, but if not I need to look at the options.”
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