Where are the last 10 Sheffield United loanees now? | OneFootball

Sheffield United have had several successful loan signings in recent seasons. Before signing this season’s seven loanees, the Blades have proven the development potential of a temporary spell at Bramall Lane.

Let’s look at the last ten loanees before this season’s bunch and where they are now.

Mason Holgate

Mason Anthony Holgate began his career with the Blades’ South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley. Before moving on to his current parent club, Everton.

Since joining the Toffees in 2015 and making over 100 appearances for the Merseyside club, Holgate has had four loan spells. His first loan was in 2019, joining West Bromwich Albion.

2023-2024, began with Holgate loaned out to then Championship side Southampton before joining the Blades in the winter transfer window. He made ten appearances in a loan spell that had very little baring on the Blades’ inevitable relegation.

Since leaving Bramall Lane, Holgate has returned to the Hawthorns on loan. The defender, 28, has made 27 appearances for the Baggies this season as they missed out on the playoffs.

Additionally, Holgate has made his Jamaican debut since leaving the Blades and played 3 times in total for the country. Seemingly, this season has been a much better one for the former Blade.

James McAtee

One of the most popular loan signings of recent years. The only thing better than James McAtee was the video announcing his return. Where the now bilingual, Oli McBurnie showed off his other talent as an impressive teaser trailer actor.

Over his two seasons with the Blades, McAtee was a constant source of optimism throughout. Whether during the promotion season as he learnt his trade under Paul Heckingbottom’s tutelage. Or when providing moments of individual excellence during last season’s disaster. Like his brilliant goal at the Lane against Brentford.

This season amongst Manchester City’s troubles, McAtee has found somewhat of a breakthrough season for himself at the Etihad.

McAtee has managed seven goals in 25 games in all competitions with the Citizens. With three goals in the Premier League, three in the FA Cup and a memorable first Champions League goal.

With a number of games under his belt with the England U21s, it’s likely that McAtee has both the Premier League and England caps in his future.

Yasser Larouci

Within months of leaving the Blades, the former Liverpool full-back was back at Bramall Lane with Watford.

Before settling down in Hertfordshire, Larouci he made 13 appearances in red-and-white. He appears to have found a decent level for himself in the Championship.

Larouci has made 41 appearances for the Hornets and has provided four assists for Tom Cleverly’s mid-table side.

In the summer, may briefly return back to France to his parent club Troyes, although it is suggested that Watford are looking into a permanent move.

Luke Thomas

Thomas joined the Blades on loan from Leicester City in the summer 2024 transfer window. He played 13 matches for the Blades until Chris Wilder sent him back to the Foxes in January. He was then loaned out to Middlesbrough for 12 matches before returning to the King Power.

The 23-year-old has played 14 times for the Foxes this season, with ten of those being Premier League appearances. As he unfortunately succumbed to another failed relegation battle. With himself and Holgate likely still meeting for weekly Top Trumps battles on who had the most unlucky last two seasons. Hopefully, things get better for Luke next season.

Tommy Doyle

Tommy Doyle. That FA Cup goal. Wow.

With the reminiscing out the way, Tommy Doyle has had an interesting two seasons since leaving Bramall Lane. The then City loanee left Bramall Lane and the Etihad in the summer of 2023.

Doyle headed to the Molineux after a promotion with the Blades having played 38 games and adding ten goal contributions to Heckingbottom’s side.

Doyle’s first season with Wolves was good. The step up to the Premier League came with 26 appearances in the league and 32 in total. Helping to lead a Wolves side, who it is easy to forget were tipped to go down, to comfortable safety.

This season he has made 26 appearances in total for Wolves contributing a goal and an assist. Although, recent comments about Doyle from Vitor Pereira suggesting Doyle doesn’t fit his system, could see his time in the Midlands come to an end. Leading to many Blades including myself hoping it could lead to a Bramall Lane return for Tommy Doyle.

Ciaran Clark

I’m going to be honest. This is a weird one. But stick with it. Ciaran Clark formerly of Aston Villa and Newcastle United joined the Blades on loan from the Tyneside club.

In his time at Bramall Lane, Clark played 11 times for the Blades but impressively managed two goals. Aiding the Blades return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Not many headline stealing moments like Doyle and McAtee but an important piece in the promotion puzzle nonetheless.

Clark moved to Stoke City where he played 3 times before leaving the Potters at the end of the season.

Now that’s all well and normal. But here’s the weird bit. Just two seasons on from his time at Bramall Lane, Clark represents Trebol FC in the Ballers League. Where he is managed by the great Luis Figo. Clark’s team are currently 5th in the 12 team league table with Clark the top assister (3 assists) in Figo’s squad. Fairplay.

Reda Khadra

Khadra began his career with Borussia Dortmund before switching to Premier League Brighton. The first loan move of his career saw him join Blackburn Rovers. He got five goals and three assists for the Lancashire side. This form made him an attractive proposition for the Blades the following season.

Unfortunately, for Khadra his time at Bramall Lane was underwhelming for both parties. He made 16 appearances and scored one goal. But what a one goal it was to beat Swansea City in the 94th minute.

He spent the remainder of the season with Birmingham City having a better time in the Midlands getting four goals and two assists.

In Summer 2023, Khadra left Brighton for Ligue 1 side Reims. His first season saw him play 31 times. Unfortunately for Khadra after just four games of this season. He suffered a ruptured ACL injury in his left knee seeing him out for the season.

Hopefully, Reda can recover from his injury and get back playing soon.

Conor Hourihane

The first on the list to become a manager. Conor Hourihane was a decent loan signing in the midfield for the Blades. He made 31 appearances for the Blades scoring once on loan from Aston Villa.

Hourihane made 98 appearances for Derby County helping the Rams to return to the Championship after two seasons pitching in 13 goals.

He then sealed an emotional return to his former club Barnsley. After playing two games and joining the coaching staff Hourihane became Barnsley’s interim manager in March. Before becoming the Reds’ permanent manager a month later.

Robin Olsen

When Sheffield United signed Sweden international goalkeeper Robin Olsen from Italian giants Roma, the expectations were high. Especially, given the Blades were in the Championship.

Unfortunately, Olsen was an underwhelming replacement for Aaron Ramsdale. Olsen managed one clean sheet in just 11 games. With Olsen replaced by the eventual promotion-winning ‘League One Wes’.

Olsen spent the remainder of the 2021-2022 season with Aston Villa on loan. Becoming a permanent Villan in the summer. He has since played 21 times getting four clean sheets during the greatest period in Villa’s recent history.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Joining the Blades on loan from Wolves after a previous loan with Swansea City. Morgan Gibbs-White’s partnership with Iliman Ndiaye was a leading reason behind the Blades reaching the playoffs after a slow start. Gibbs-White managed 12 goals and ten assists in a Blades shirt making what he did next heartbreaking.

In fairness to Gibbs-White when the significant fee came from the Blades semi-final playoff opponents. It was not only a statement of their faith in him but too big to turn down. He has since become an iconic player at the City Ground. His 16 goals and 27 assists in 113 games have helped Forest survive in the Premier League. Plus, whether he plays for Forest or makes a reported move to the Etihad, he will likely be playing Champions League football next season.

Takeaways

Sheffield United have had a mixed bag of loanees in recent years from the heights of McAtee and Gibbs-White to the incompatible lows of Olsen and Thomas.

Ultimately, some players take to club and some players struggle to make a temporary stay their own. With a variety of reasons generating both successful and less successful spells.

Mainly, the fact that none of these players still play for Sheffield United suggests the old adage of never fall in love with a loan player may be worth heeding.