How Oli McBurnie is getting on at Las Palmas after leaving Sheffield United | OneFootball

Oli McBurnie was potent in the Championship and is now battling the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

One of the more peculiar transfers of last summer saw Oli McBurnie sign for Spanish side Las Palmas from Sheffield United.

The 28-year-old became the first Scotsman to play for the Canary Island club and only the second British player after Vinny Samways.

McBurnie had spent the previous five seasons at Sheffield United, after signing there from Swansea City the season after he netted 22 Championship goals for the Welsh side.

The striker contributed 13 league goals in the Blades' promotion-winning campaign in 2022/23, but wasn't able to help Sheffield United remain in the Premier League the following season.

Upon their 2023/24 relegation, McBurnie wanted a new challenge. However, many wouldn't have guessed that the new test would be in the top flight in Spain.

Six months on from his transfer to Las Palmas, we've taken a look at how the Scottish striker has fared abroad so far.

Joining up with McKenna and making an impact in Spain

Oli McBurnie was soon joined by a familiar face, as fellow countryman Scott McKenna arrived in the same transfer window from Nottingham Forest.

Speaking to the BBC a month into his tenure at Las Palmas, McBurnie was appreciative that McKenna was there to help him settle into his new club in a new country.

"I have known him for 10 years. As soon as the club asked me about him, I gave him a glowing review and did the same about the club to him.

"It's imperative we don't sit in our little corner all day speaking English but it is a bit of comfort there knowing there is someone you can speak to."

McKenna has had more luck in maintaining a starting place for Las Palmas than McBurnie though. After starting nine of the first 12 league games of the season, and contributing an assist in a draw against Real Madrid, McBurnie would have to wait three months before his next league start. On his return to the 11 against Villarreal, he picked up an assist in a 2-1 loss.

That assist was his fourth of the season. He is yet to score in La Liga just yet but did score twice in their Copa Del Rey second round match against CE Europa.

Las Palmas sit 16th in La Liga, only one point above former West Brom manager Carlos Coberan's Valencia side, who occupy the final relegation place.

McBurnie will be hoping that the recent start against Villarreal will turn into a string of consistent games, as he continues to search for his first goal in the Spanish top division.

Keeping up with Sheffield United

Despite his departure from Sheffield United, Oli McBurnie still keeps tabs on how his former side is doing in league action and has seemingly maintained a good relationship with some of his former teammates.

The striker's X account regularly features reposts from his Sheffield United days and comments on games and performances from former teammates.

When he left the Blades in the summer, he did so on good terms, saying that the club offered him a contract, but he was "open and honest" with the club - according to the previous BBC interview.

In McBurnie's departing message on Instagram, he stated that Sheffield United fans "will definitely see [him] in the concourse" upon his return from Spain. McBurnie had a special relationship with his former club, and will be keeping a close eye on the ongoing promotion race in the Championship.

La Liga's season finishes on the weekend of the Championship play-off final, however. So McBurnie is most likely going to be an overseas Sheffield United supporter as we head towards the closing stages of this season.