Sheffield United set sights on 7-goal Nigerian winger as part of AI-driven transfer approach | OneFootball

Bramall Lane's latest recruitment tool was first put to use in the winter window.

Sheffield United have "special" Nigerian talent Ehije Ukaki on their radar that their AI recruitment technology has flagged up.

The world of player acquisition has shifted mightily from decade to decade. Even in the past five or so years, the way that clubs find new talent has become much more sophisticated.

Emphasis on stats and databases has increased in the pursuit to do what the revolutionary teams of the past did by uncovering hidden gems that others have looked past.

Nigerian prospect pops up on Sheffield United's AI transfer radar

In the January window, Jefferson Cáceres and Christian Nwachukwu were signed by Chris Wilder after they were spotted by United's new AI transfer model. Neither player contributed to the Blades' promotion push, which they ultimately failed to complete, but the 22-year-old and 19-year-old could be stars of the future at Bramall Lane.

The Blades are continuing down the same avenue this summer and, according to The Star, their AI has unearthed a new prospect: Botev Plovdiv's 20-year-old winger Ehije Ukaki.

The Nigerian, who played alongside Nwachukwu for the Bulgarian side, emerged as a rising star last season when he scored seven goals for Plovdiv in the Parva Liga.

His manager, Dusan Kerkez, said about the youngster, via Nigeran outlet Sports247: "Ukaki is a special talent. He’s working hard, listening, and stepping up in big moments. We believe in his potential."

There is no indication that the Blades are actively eyeing a move for the winger, but, if they do decide to go after Ukaki, they will need to try to get him a visa in order for him to come to the United Kingdom.

He wouldn't qualify under the points-pased post-Brexit system that is currently in place, as per The Star, but he could join via the 'Exceptional Sporting Circumstances' avenue.

Teams in the Premier League and Championship can have four players in this category. Cáceres and Nwachukwu are reported to have already taken up two of these slots, following the latter's struggles to get a working visa.

Technology-inspired recruiting is the way to go for Sheffield United

The club's ownership have made it clear that they plan to modernise the practices at Bramall Lane, with this data-led path being one that they appear to be set on going down.

There hasn't been a total disregard of traditional scouting methods, though. Actually watching a player and seeing where their strengths lie, rather than only using stats, is still very much part of what United's recruitment team do, but this is the way that football is moving.

​​​​​​​ Clubs like Brentford and Brighton have proved that you can recruit cheaply, still find amazing players and then profit on the pitch or financially later down the road.

If the Blades go up to the Premier League next season or in the seasons after that, an approach in this vein which has worked recently, especially with the Bees, will need to be taken.