Sheffield United’s Last 10 January Deadline Days | OneFootball

It’s here. A day of ups and downs for supporters of some clubs. For others, a day of boredom watching on as their league rivals are linked with every name under the sun. For Sheffield United, this year’s objective is clear. Sign a Souttar replacement in time to put their feet up and watch the clock tick down to midnight on Tuesday.

Will it go to plan though? Can we learn from January Deadline Days of the past? Join me on a walk down transfer memory lane. As we look into Sheffield United’s last ten January Deadline Days.

2015

Gone our days where the January window was well just in January. In 2015, the more apt ‘Winter’ window began on 3 January and ended on Monday 2 February.

The 2015 January window for Sheffield United had seen some notable names arrive at Bramall Lane. With Kieron Freeman, Paul Coutts, and John Brayford joining the Blades prior to Deadline Day. Additionally, Jason Holt had been loaned in on 30 January from Hearts.

These four signings before Deadline Day, similar to this January, were with hindsight great additions to Clough’s Blades. With Freeman and Coutts in particular being useful for Adkins and Wilder after.

The only signing the Blades made on Deadline Day 2015 was Matt Done. Done signed on a two-and-a-half year deal from Rochdale for an undisclosed fee. Speaking to club media, Done said: “I’d love to get the club back to the Championship, where they should be.”

Done was brilliant for the Blades in League One. He played 87 times for the club between 2015 and 2017 contributing 18 goals and nine assists.

Done’s time at Sheffield United came to an end with the club gaining promotion to the Championship. Having completed his mission of returning the Blades to the 2nd tier. Done returned to Rochdale for his third-spell at the club.

Also, on Deadline Day, George Long headed out on loan to Motherwell.

2016

If Nigel Adkins time at Sheffield United felt like a wasted season. Then I won’t waste more of your time here. Adkins made some summer signings. But ignored the January window for incomings and outgoings.

2017

Finally! A January Transfer window running from 1 January to 31 January. Chris Wilder’s first January as Blades Boss saw him make five January signings. As permanent deals saw Samir Carruthers, Daniel Lafferty and James Hanson arrive. Plus, loan additions in the form of Joe Riley and Jay O’Shea.

The only business completed on Deadline Day was an outgoing. As Aaron Ramsdale joined AFC Bournemouth. The fee that saw Ramsdale leave the Blades for the Premier League was reportedly around £800,000. Although, it was initially reported as undisclosed.

Of course, he proved to be a decent goalkeeper for Bournemouth and returned to the Blades four-and-a-half years later. Where the Blades would sell him again for even more profit to Arsenal.

2018

Deadline Day 2018 and the first on this list in the Championship was empty. At least from United’s perspective. No ins, no outs. A repeat of 2016.

In the month itself, Wilder had signed four players. Ryan Leonard, Lee Evans, Ricky Holmes, and loan signing, James Wilson. In fairness to Wilson, the three permanent signings were about as temporary as his time at the club.

In terms of outgoings, James Hanson was loaned out and Ben Whiteman was sold to Doncaster. Ultimately, all business was completed by 15 January. With Ricky Holmes locking the transfer door behind him.

2019

Possibly the busiest. But definitely the most important January window and deadline on the list. 2019’s January Window saw five in and 13 out. Prior to deadline day the likes of Oliver Norwood, Gary Madine, and Kieran Dowell. Equally, 2018’s signings Ryan Leonard and Lee Evans left the club permanently.

On deadline day itself. Stephen Mallon, Ricky Holmes, and Sam Graham head out on loan. With Graham and Mallon joining Central Coast Mariners.

The only incoming on Deadline Day was Scott Hogan. The Irish international joined the Blades on loan from Aston Villa. He played eight times for the Blades and scored two goals. With his goal against Ipswich Town in front of the Kop sending the Blades to the Premier League. Therefore, one of the greatest January deadline signing in recent Blades history.

2020

In total seven players joined Sheffield United in January 2020. With Jack Rodwell, Jack Robinson, and Sander Berge joining before Deadline Day.

2020 Deadline Day’s incomings were some of the strangest in Sheffield United history. If you had asked anyone back in January 2015 who we’d sign I almost certainly guarantee that neither Richairo Zivkovic or Panagiotis Retsos would have been mentioned. Zivkovic played five times for the Blades. Whilst a mix of lockdown and the Blades iconic back-five to break into meant Retsos never played in the league.

This deadline day saw a number of outgoings. Jake Wright left the club permanently becoming a free agent. Meanwhile, Marcus Dewhurst and Ravel Morrison were loaned out to Carlisle United and Middlesbrough respectively.

2021

Chris Wilder’s last January during his first spell at the club was quiet. With the delayed Summer window due to lockdowns and the inevitability of relegation. The Blades only business saw Rhys Norrington-Davies join Stoke City on loan. With no business completed on Deadline Day at all.

2022

This section is a Goode one. After signing Adam Davies on 25 January, Heckingbottom completed his first January window as Blades boss with one Deadline Day signing. Charlie Goode joined the Blades on 31 January 2022. Goode played two games for the Blades both in the league. It’s safe to say his time with the Blades wasn’t Goode for either.

In terms of outgoings, Lys Mousset and Luke Freeman were loaned to Salernitana and Millwall respectively.

An ultimately steady first window for Heckingbottom if only his Summer 2023 window had been as simple.

2023

After four summer additions, Heckingbottom’s Blades signed no-one in January. Although, the club saw four players leave on loan. With Nicksoen Gomis joining sister club Beerschot on loan on Deadline Day.

2024

Wilder’s first January window back as Blades boss saw him bring in three players. Sam Curtis and Ivo Grbic joined on 25 and 26 January respectively.

Before the Deadline Day loan signing of Mason Holgate. Holgate had been admired by Wilder and United for some time and finally he was here. Unfortunately, Holgate’s debut a 5-0 defeat set the tone for his time at the club. The heavy score-lines and eventual relegation weren’t his fault. Holgate made the error of joining a Blades side that couldn’t be saved by anyone.

Equally on Deadline Day, three players left on loan; Jili Buyabu (Motherwell), Antwoine Hackford (Burton Albion), and Femi Seriki (Rotherham United). Sparing all three the pain of the four months to come.

Takeaways

Ultimately, in terms of incomings Sheffield United haven’t been great entertainers in the last 10 January Deadline Days. But that shouldn’t matter as the last multiple signing, January Deadline Day in 2020. Left the Blades with two promising signings that unfortunately didn’t work out.

So, if the Blades can learn from the last ten January Deadline Days and find the balance of signing one player instead of none or multiple. It could prove to be a productive day. Perhaps, ten years on from Matt’s arrival, a new Dunne could be arriving at Bramall Lane.