Ten Best Sheffield United Summer Signings in Recent Years – Opinion | OneFootball

Over the past few years, Sheffield United have been on an incredible journey since Chris Wilder’s first tenure at the club. The Blades rose from League One to the Premier League within three years, and then almost got themselves into European competition.

Unfortunately, since then, United have been unable to match their efforts of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, resulting in them becoming a yo-yo club between the second tier and the top-flight. Now under Ruben Selles, the Blades are hoping they can win promotion back to the top division whilst with the aim of progressing into a football club can maintain their Premier League status for several seasons.

In order to do this, they will need to recruit efficiently in the next few transfer windows. Especially the summer windows. One of the biggest reasons for United’s success in Wilder’s first stint at his boyhood club was simply down to smart signings.

In this article, I have named (in no particular order) the ten best summer signings in Sheffield United’s recent history. It must be noted that in order to qualify for this list, the Blades must have signed the player permanently (so a loan player, which Sheffield United went on to buy would qualify).

The 10 Best Summer Signings For Sheffield United in Recent Years

Anel Ahmedhodzic – Joined in summer of 2022/23 (from Malmo)

LUTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Anel Ahmedhodzic of Sheffield United celebrates the win at the end of the game the Sky Bet Championship match between Luton Town FC and Sheffield United FC at Kenilworth Road on February 15, 2025 in Luton, England. (Photo by

I remember when Anel Ahmedhodzic was linked with the Blades, there was some scepticism amongst the fanbase due to the fact he was an unknown quantity. He had shown glimpses of quality in both Ligue 1 and the Swedish top-flight before joining United. While the exact amount wasn’t publicly revealed, it’s been reported as around £4 million.

The Bosnian centre-back has proven that he is a top Championship defender; he can progress the ball with both passing and dribbling, he sweeps up danger behind him, and he is strong in the tackle. His footage from the Premier League will look poor, but who wouldn’t from that terrible 2023/24 campaign.

Michael Cooper – Joined in summer of 2024/25 (from Plymouth Argyle)

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Michael Cooper of Sheffield United is congratulated by teammates after he saves a penalty kick from Patrick Roberts of Sunderland during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Sunderland AFC at Bramall Lane on November 29, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

For approximately £2 million, Michael Cooper was one of the best signings of the entire Championship last term. He proved his shot-stopping qualities as well as his ability to command his box. He has the vision and technique to play some passes which split an opposition press, though he was inconsistent at long-range distribution at times.

There will be rumours this summer about a potential transfer to the Premier League, but the Blades should not be looking to sell him at any price as I struggle to see United being able to attract or afford a suitable replacement for him.

Harrison Burrows – Joined in summer of 2024/25 (from Peterborough United)

SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 21: Harrison Burrows of Sheffield United celebrates with Tyrese Campbell of Sheffield United after scoring his side’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City AFC and Sheffield United FC at Swansea.com Stadium on January 21, 2025 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Another very good signing from 12 months ago was Harrison Burrows. According to numerous reports, the left-back could eventually cost around £6 million if the Blades are to get promoted. For a 23-year-old English left-back that has proven to be a reliable source for goals and assists, as well as being rarely unavailable, that’s an absolute bargain.

Burrows had a solid debut season for United in a role that the club had struggled to fill with quality since the prime version of Enda Stevens. Now though, they have a consistent performer with leadership qualities.

George Baldock – Joined in summer of 2017/18 (from MK Dons)

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: George Baldock of Sheffield United reacts during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Everton FC at Bramall Lane on September 02, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

For a six-figure sum, the signing of George Baldock was outstanding business, and I’m so glad we got to witness Baldock in a Blades shirt. He had relentless energy, a burst of pace, thrived in one-on-one defending, and always gave 100% for the shirt. This made him one of the most legendary players in United’s history. It was those qualities that helped United gain promotion to the Premier League twice, and he played a big part in United’s ninth-place finish in the Premier League.

The former Blades right-back may have passed away, but this era of Unitedites will never forget the moments he gave us.

John Egan – Joined in summer of 2018/19 (from Brentford)

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: John Egan of Sheffield United reacts after Newcastle United scored their sides eighth goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Newcastle United at Bramall Lane on September 24, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

For someone that was thrown to the side by Brentford, John Egan went on to carve a great legacy at Sheffield United. The Irishman was a natural leader of men and a rock-solid centre-back, in the middle of the back three.

In his debut season, the Blades would often just have Egan, and occasionally Jack O’Connell or Chris Basham, standing on the halfway line while everyone else bombed forward to create overloads all over the pitch. Often, Egan snuffed out counterattacks and recycled the ball for the likes of Oliver Norwood to unlock the defence.

For what was a club-record transfer fee of £4 million in 2018, United got two promotions to the Premier League and almost got into Europe with him organising at the back.

Oliver Norwood – Joined in summer of 2018/19 (from Brighton & Hove Albion)

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 30: Oliver Norwood of Sheffield United looks dejected after the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Fulham FC at Bramall Lane on March 30, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Oliver Norwood initially signed on loan in the summer of 2018 from Brighton (eventually becoming a £2 million permanent fee in January 2019), and it quickly became apparent that the Northern Ireland midfielder was a key piece to United’s overlapping centre-backs system.

Norwood joined the Blades with a reputation of being somewhat of a promotion specialist in the Championship, and the deep-lying playmaker did not disappoint as Wilder’s United finished second in Norwood’s debut term. He went on to take the Premier League by storm the following season as the Blades narrowly missed out on European football.

Mark Duffy – Joined in summer of 2016/17 (free agent – previously at Birmingham City)

The best way to describe Mark Duffy is simply: small in size but huge in terms of the influence that he has on United between 2016 and 2019. As a free transfer, Duffy was phenomenal, he would roam across the final third and would always find space between the opposition’s midfield and defensive line.

He wasn’t blessed with pace or outrageous trickery, but the attacking midfielder had great vision and technique, which allowed him to slice teams apart. Unfortunately, we never got to see Duffy in the Premier League after a fall out with Wilder in the summer of 2019, which eventually led to him leaving the club.

John Fleck – Joined in summer of 2016/17 (free agent – previously at Coventry City)

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: John Fleck of Sheffield United reacts during the Sky Bet Championship between Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane on August 20, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

On a free from Coventry, John Fleck was the engine room of the Chris Wilder era. He controlled games with his energy and aggressive pressing. Despite being on the smaller side, the Scottish midfielder rarely lost a physical battle, and he often left his mark on the opposition with meaty tackles.

Outside of this, he possessed a wand of a left foot which could score from range, whip in dangerous crosses. He also had great ball control. A pre-covid Fleck was truly outstanding.

Jack O’Connell – Joined in summer of 2016/17 (from Brentford)

FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 12: Jack O’Connell of Sheffield United in action during a pre-season friendly match between Real Betis Balompie and Sheffield United FC at Estadio Algarve on July 12, 2019 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Jack O’Connell was a very intimidating figure in the left centre-back spot. When he signed for the Blades for a six-figure fee, the majority of the Brentford fan forums claimed he wasn’t any good. Quite funny really.

The scouser was hard as nails, had a great reading of the game, and for a big lump, he was very athletic. On top of this, his ball-playing ability was superb. This allowed him to bomb down the left flank as an overlapping centre-back. When it came to defending, O’Connell rarely got outmuscled and his timing for tackles was exceptional, which is why in 177 competitive games for United he never once saw a red card.

David McGoldrick – Joined in summer of 2018/19 (free agent – previously at Ipswich Town)

Sheffield United’s English-born Irish striker David McGoldrick celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge in London on November 7, 2020. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP)

Originally brought in on trial due to fitness issues, David McGoldrick became a cult hero at Sheffield United. His link-up play, intelligence and composure was almost unmatched in the 2018/19 Championship campaign. While he wasn’t the most natural of finishers, few players in the division were as technically gifted as him.

The only downside to the McGoldrick signing was that it happened later on in his career. Nevertheless, he was simply sublime during his spell with the Blades and definitely goes down as one of the best signings Sheffield United have made in the 21st century.