Who is Sheffield United’s latest AI target? | OneFootball

A new rumour has emerged, suggesting the Blades are dipping their toes into more AI.

Similarly to when I covered the AI signings of Jefferson Caceres and Christian Nwachukwu. The available information about the Blades’ latest target is sparse.

The main information is that he is Nigerian and plays for Botev Plovdiv, the same nationality and former club as a Nwachukwu.

His name is Ehije Ukaki and here’s what we know so far.

His time at Botev Plovdiv

Botev Plovdiv, nicknamed the Canaries, signed Ukaki in January 2024. As he became their second signing of that window. Ukaki born in 2004 had caught their eye during the Botev Cup.

Ukaki played for the Vista academy who won the first edition of the Botev Cup in the summer of 2023.

Upon signing the young Nigerian winger, PFC Botev Plovdiv sports director, Artur Platek, said: “Ukaki is a great player. He caught our attention with his attitude towards Vista. He is a very fast and technically well-prepared player who deserved his chance to play for Botev Plovdiv.”

Stats for Botev Plovdiv

Ukaki has an interesting record in the league in the 2024-2025 season. Ukaki made 34 matches in the Hungarian first league getting seven goals.

The stat that will make him fit in most at Sheffield United is his yellow cards. According to FotMob they young forward picked up 7 yellow cards in the league.

European football

Ukaki played in the first leg in the Europa League Qualifiers against Panathinaikos coming off the bench for the last ten.

He then made a six minute cameo and played full second half across the two legs in the Europa Conference League qualifier aggregate defeat to Zrinjski Mostar.

Importantly, Nwachukwu started three of the four games. It seems Nwachukwu’s move to Bramall Lane freed up playing time for Ukaki.

Takeaways

The Blades are in desperate need of wingers this summer. With Andre Brooks and Gustavo Hamer the main senior players currently playing outwide for the Blades. Of course, there would be a third if an agreement is reached with Rhian Brewster.

There is also Nwachukwu and Caceres waiting in the wings and given Caceres was on the bench at Stoke. It’s likely the Peruvian winger may get a chance this term.

United should be looking to bring in at least two senior wingers this window. But with his goalscoring output if the fee is similarly low to the fees that brought the previous AI signings to United. It seems that Ukaki could be worth a go. Worst case scenario he’ll likely make profit. Best case scenario the Blades avoid another folk tale about how we missed out on Maradona.