Where are Sheffield United’s Summer 2019 signings now? | OneFootball

The summer of 2019. Almost six years ago now. A time of excitement, innocence and when entering the Premier League felt like a good idea.

In through the door came ten players. Eight permanent signings and two loans. But where are they now? Some of their destinations are more outlandish than others.

Lys Mousset

The reason for this list given his recent move to Bohemian FC in the League of Ireland. Mousset joined the Blades on 21 July 2019 becoming the third player to break the club’s transfer record. The undisclosed fee paid to Bournemouth reportedly could have risen to more than £10 million according to Sky.

After signing Mousset, Chris Wilder, speaking to club media, said: “Lys is big, quick and a different type of threat at the top of the pitch.”

Mousset proved to be an impressive threat for the Blades in the 2019/20 season. As he scored six goals and got four assists in 30 Premier League games. His infamous winner at Bramall Lane against Arsenal in October lives long in the memory.

The season after Mousset only played 13 times, 11 in the Premier League without a goal or an assist. This was mainly due to a number of injuries across the season with 12 games missed with a toe injury. Plus a handful of games missed with an ankle injury and a couple of knocks.

After the Blades relegation, Mousset managed 3 goals in 7 games. Although, he missed six games due to another knock. By January, he was loaned to Serie A side Salernitana. He played just six times in Italy getting an assist. As he missed another 11 games due to injury.

In his time after leaving Bramall Lane, Mousset has had two clubs. His first Bundesliga side VFL Bochum in August 2022. He never played for Bochum and by January 2023 was loaned out to Nimes in Ligue 2. He played 11 times in France contributing a goal and two assists. In January 2024, Mousset had his Bochum contract terminated.

Yesterday, Mousset signed for Bohemian ahead of the 2025 League of Ireland season. The side have 11 League of Ireland titles hopefully Mousset can help them get their first since 2009.

Luke Freeman

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Freeman wanted by Wilder and the Blades for a while. Became the first summer 2019 signing on 3 July. He was the first to break the club record fee after signing for the Blades from QPR. Joining the Blades as “one of the best players in the Championship” according to Chris Wilder.

Freeman only played 16 times for the Blades in his first season getting two assists. Only starting 3 Premier League games and playing just 362 minutes.

For the Blades second Premier League season, Freeman was loaned to Nottingham Forest in the Championship. Before returning to play 8 games for the Blades in 2021-2022 getting a goal in the EFL Cup. In January 2022, Freeman was loaned to Millwall but only played once after unfortunately getting injured on his debut.

His career got back on track somewhat as he joined Luton Town on a free. He played 26 times contributing two goals and an assist. As the Hatters gained promotion to the Premier League but was released at the end of the season.

Last season, Freeman played 14 times for National League Barnet scoring once. Despite reported negotiations over the last summer, Freeman is currently a free agent.

Phil Jagielka

The Blades academy graduate returned to Bramall Lane as the second signing of Summer 2019. Jagielka signed on a free after 385 games for Everton. Although, 36 at the time, Jagielka’s signing was a statement that the Blades had returned to the top table.

In his two season back at Bramall Lane, Jagielka played 22 times, 16 of which were in the Premier League. After an excellent first season in the Premier League, Jagielka, then 38, left the club upon relegation to the Championship.

Initially signing for Derby County, on a short-term contract until January 2022, Jagielka played 21 games for the Rams. Derby manager and former Everton teammate Wayne Rooney wanted Jagielka to stay but an embargo prevented them from resigning Jags.

So, he joined Stoke City where he played 50 games across one and a half seasons. He scored twice for the Potters in 2022-2023, including against the Blades. In April 2023, Jagielka reached 800 career appearances, before being released.

In November 2023, Jagielka announced his retirement aged 41. During a Sky Sports interview, Jagielka was looking forward to playing more golf and hasn’t ruled out a career in management at some point.

Callum Robinson

Robinson joined the Blades as the second club record breaking fee signing of the 2019 summer window. Robinson, then 24, signed a four-year deal to become the third signing of the window.

The Irish international played 16 Premier League goals getting a goal and an assist in the first-half of the season. Then in January 2020, he was loaned to West Brom getting five goal contributions in the Championship for the Baggies. Helping the club to earn Premier League promotion.

This led to the strange swap deal that saw Robinson leave for West Brom permanently in summer 2020, with Oliver Burke arriving at Bramall Lane.

After spending three seasons at West Brom, Robinson played 95 times for the Baggies contributing 17 goals and 12 assists.

In September 2022, Robinson joined his current club Cardiff City. Where he has played 72 games so far scoring 20 goals and nine assists in all competitions. This season alone he has 11 goals in 24 Championship games. Honestly, could be useful back at Bramall Lane.

A fun fact Robinson, who shares his last name with the Blades current Captain. Also has the middle name Jack.

Ravel Morrison

Former Manchester United youngster, Morrison joined the Blades after a successful trial period. Upon signing it was hoped Wilder could help Ravel turn around his career, as Wilder had done for other previous trialists.

Morrison made four appearances for the club. Once in the Premier League, once in the FA Cup, and twice in the EFL Cup. Morrison got one assist in the EFL Cup.

By January 2020, Morrison was loaned to Middlesbrough where he played 3 times in the Championship. Before leaving the Blades at the end of the season as his contract expired.

In September 2020, he joined ADO Den Haag but left the club in January 2021 by mutual consent. After four Eredivisie appearances. He returned to England in 2021-2022 for a bit of a career resurgence. He joined Derby County teaming up again with Phil Jagielka under Wayne Rooney. Morrison played 36 Championship games scoring four goals and getting four assists.

In 2022, he teamed up with Rooney in the MLS at DC United. Morrison played 14 games scoring twice in the 2022 season. He remained at the club in 2023, but didn’t play as he was left out of the registered squad.

In September 2024, he joined Precision FC in the UAE Second Division League. Where he plays with former Blades Jamie Ward and Matt Lowton. Plus, a number of other EFL cult heroes.

Ben Osborn

(Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

One of the more successful signings of summer 2019 based on his versatility and longevity. Osborn became the Blades sixth summer 2019 signing and remained at the club until last summer.

Osborn saw two relegations and one promotion with the Blades. After 230 games for Nottingham Forest and 16 goals, it was clear Osborn would be likely to stick with the Blades regardless. Over his five years, Osborn played 134 times for the club getting five goals and eight assists. Playing primarily in the central midfield, but also being used in both wing-back positions mainly on the left.

A great servant of the Blades’ shirt, Osborn is now at Derby County. The place of his birth, it’s great to see Osborn take on the third club of his career. Especially given his time with the Rams aged eight and his love for the club. He has so far played 22 games for his boyhood club.

Dean Henderson (loan)

Dean Henderson began his second loan at Bramall Lane becoming the seventh addition of the 2019 summer window. The former Manchester United keeper, still a fan favourite at Bramall Lane, played 36 Premier League games for the Blades. Missing only the two matches against his parent club.

Henderson was a huge part of the Blades’ top-half finish in the 2019-2020 season. A showcase of his ability was his impressive double save against Norwich just before lockdown.

Henderson got 13 clean sheets in 36 Premier League matches, just over one every three games.

In the next two seasons he stayed at Manchester United. He played 29 matches for the Red Devils but once De Gea returned, he became the back-up keeper.

In 2022-2023, Henderson headed to Nottingham Forest on loan. Where, until Forest signed Keylor Navas in January, he became their number one. Henderson continued his one in three match Premier League clean sheet record. Getting six cleans sheets in 18 games.

In Summer 2023, Henderson joined Crystal Palace leaving Old Trafford permanently. After his first season was spent battling Sam Johnstone for the gloves, Henderson has won Glasner’s trust as this season’s number one. He has played all 24 of Palace’s Premier League games getting 7 clean sheets. Another season of around 1 every three games clean sheet record in the Premier League.

Oliver McBurnie

McBurnie joined the Blades with great fanfare as the eighth summer signing and the fourth Blades record breaking signing fee of the window.

Chris Wilder who had waited patiently to sign McBurnie told club media: “I am confident he will be a tremendous success.”

McBurnie like Osborn lasted until this summer in his Blades career. Across his five seasons McBurnie played 159 games contributing 29 goals and 7 assists. His best season in 2022-2023, saw him score 15 goals in 41 games across all competitions helping the Blades gain promotion. Plus, reach an FA Cup semi-final.

McBurnie’s current club is the strangest on the list for where a former Blades player is now. The Leeds born, Scottish international is playing in La Liga for Las Palmas. Where he has played 19 games in all competitions. Getting three La Liga assists and two Copa Del Rey goals.

In fairness to McBurnie he seems to have embraced life in Gran Canaria with a few clips of him speaking fairly fluent Spanish. Plus, he has fellow Scottish international Scott McKenna to keep him company. It’s great to see for Oli Mc.

Michael Verrips

The second keeper and ninth player signed in Summer 2019. Verrips joined the Blades after a complicated deal. He was also the first of two Deadline Day signings alongside the tenth player on this list.

In his first season, Verrips played once in the FA Cup making his debut against AFC Fylde. Unfortunately, Verrips suffered a head injury being substituted off in the 41st minute.

He was then loaned to FC Emmen in his second season, playing 14 Eredivisie games. He returned to the Blades in 2021-2022 where he played three times. Making his league debut and only league appearance against West Brom. Although, the Blades lost 4-0 at the Hawthorns another unfortunate debut for Verrips. Verrips then spent the remainder of the season on loan at Fortuna Sittard.

Verrips left the Blades for Fortuna Sittard but spent one-and-a-half seasons on loan at FC Groningen. At Groningen, Verrips played 35 games before returning from the loan early in January 2024. Where he played 14 games for Fortuna Sittard.

In July 2024, he signed for current club Dender EH. He has played 21 games in the First Division A of Belgium. Getting six clean sheets in 21 league games.

Muhammed Besic

The Blades’ final signing of the 2019 summer window. Muhammed (Mo) Besic became a cult favourite after joining on loan from Everton.

Besic played 13 games, nine in the Premier League, scoring once in the FA Cup.

After leaving Bramall Lane, Besic played three seasons at former Blades-linked club Ferencvaros in Hungary. He played 57 games in all competitions getting 2 goals after signing on a free transfer.

Since the end of last season, Besic had been a free agent. Until he signed for FK Spartak Subotica in Serbia in January of this year.

Takeaways

The signings of Summer 2019 in hindsight were a mixed bag for Sheffield United. Their moves since have been no different, with some easily expected and some we’d never had predicted when they arrived at Bramall Lane.

From the longevity of Osborn and McBurnie, the reliability of Henderson, to Mousset’s flash in the pan most of the signings were positive. With Freeman and Verrips unfortunately not succeeding as Blades. Although, in fairness when ten players are signed it’s difficult for all to do well, when their can only be 11 names on the team sheet every week.