Sheffield United Summer Transfer Window Round-up As Over A Dozen New Faces Enter Shirecliffe | OneFootball

Sheffield United have undergone another significant rebuild this summer as they prepare to climb up the Championship table after the international break.

With key departures and a flurry of fresh arrivals, the Blades’ squad looks very different to the one that finished the 2024/25 campaign.

United’s Outgoings

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Vinicius Souza of Sheffield United gestures during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Watford FC at Bramall Lane on September 01, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Several long-serving and high-profile players have left Bramall Lane over the last few weeks.

Anel Ahmedhodzic left the club for Dutch side Feyenoord just a few days before the first Championship game kicked off, leaving a big gap at the back.

Vinicius Souza, who was a standout in last season’s third-place finish, moved on to the Bundesliga to VfL Wolfsburg. Again, his departure left a void in the middle of the park because of his outstanding defensive abilities.

Rhian Brewster did not sign a new deal in the summer despite the Blades tabling a contract extension. Instead, the former £23.5 million man signed as a free agent for Derby County.

After playing a key role as a physical focal point late on in United’s previous campaign, Kieffer Moore was sold to newly promoted Championship side Wrexham after just 12 months in South Yorkshire.

Club captain Jack Robinson departed the Blades after over four years at the club. The former Liverpool defender’s time at the Blades was a bit of a rollercoaster, but one can certainly never criticise his willingness to fight for every ball and put his body on the line, which is a big reason as to why he helped United secure automatic promotion to the Premier League in the 2022/23 season.

Meanwhile, Ivo Grbic, Jamal Baptiste, and Rhys Norrington-Davies, all exited Bramall Lane on a season-long loan. Young winger Jefferson Caceres departed permanently after only joining the club back in January.

Sheffield United Brought in Over A Dozen New Players

Louie Barry and Ehije Success Ukaki celebrate the second goal of the game during Chesterfield vs Sheffield United pre-season game. (Image Credit: Sheffield United Football Club).

The recruitment team have brought in a mix of youth, experience, and loan signings to balance out the squad ahead of what everyone hopes will be another push for the top six.

The Blades made several additions to the back line. Mark McGuinness, Ben Mee, Japhet Tanganga, Nils Zatterstrom, Ben Godfrey (loan), and Tyler Bindon (loan) provide depth and versatility at the back after Ahmedhodzic and Robinson’s exits.

Mihail Polendakov is seen as a player for the future, with the right-back already featuring in United’s development team matches.

Djibril Soumare (loan with an obligation to buy) and Alex Matos add some much-needed bite and energy to the midfield after Souza’s departure. Both players are natural ball-winning midfielders, but both have qualities on the ball. Soumare is seen as the one who is more polished in terms of passing, while Matos’ preferred way to progress the ball is through carrying it forwards.

United also made several signings in attacking positions. Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene (loan) and Louie Barry (loan) add pace and energy in attack, as well as an eagerness to press defenders.

Danny Ings, like Mee, has signed a one-year deal with the club with an option to extend by a further year. He offers United a striker with proven goalscoring experience and leadership.

Ehije Success Ukaki, who has featured in the right-winger role for United during pre-season and in the EFL Cup, is another project for the future after arriving from Bulgaria earlier in the window.

2025/26 Summer Transfer Window Summary

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Carabao Cup first round match between Birmingham City and Sheffield United at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on August 13, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Sheffield United’s 2025/26 summer window was about rebuilding after losing some of last season’s core players. The defence has been almost entirely reshaped and that can hopefully lay the foundations for the rest of the team to go and attack teams.

14 new players arrived at Shirecliffe over the last few weeks whilst nine players exited the door. New signings were needed at S2, especially after the poor start in the league. But most importantly, Gustavo Hamer was not one of those that said their goodbyes.