Blades are poised to take Evans back for next season

SHEFFIELD UNITED are closing in on a deal to re-sign Ched Evans '“ five years after the striker was jailed while playing for the club.
Ched Evans pictured playing for Chesterfield against Oxford (Picture: James Williamson).Ched Evans pictured playing for Chesterfield against Oxford (Picture: James Williamson).
Ched Evans pictured playing for Chesterfield against Oxford (Picture: James Williamson).

Agreement is understood to have been struck with Chesterfield for the 28-year-old’s return to Bramall lane this summer in a £500,000 deal.

Evans, believed to be undergoing a medical with the League One champions, was released by the Blades after he was found guilty in 2012 of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room.

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He was sentenced to five years in prison, but the conviction was later quashed. Following a re-trial last year, Evans was found not guilty.

The former Wales international resumed his career with the Spireities earlier this season and has since netted seven goals in 29 league and Cup appearances. He is under contract at Chesterfield, who have already been relegated to League Two, for another season.

United believe Evans can rediscover the form that brought him 35 goals in the 2011-12 season. His jailing with a little over two weeks of that season remaining came at a time when the Blades seemed on course to pip Steel City rivals, Wednesday, to automatic promotion from League One.

Without their top scorer, however, the club faltered and the Owls went up in second place. United were then beaten in the play-off final at Wembley by Huddersfield Town.

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Following his release from prison late in 2014, Evans was offered use of the Blades’ training facilities only for a backlash from fans and club patrons, including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill, to force a re-think. The invite was later withdrawn.

Now, though, following the not guilty verdict of last year, United feel the time is right to bring back a striker who netted 48 goals in 113 appearances.

Ironically, Chesterfield are the final-day visitors to the Lane this Sunday as Chris Wilder’s side look to rack up a century of points.

Evans is not expected to feature, the striker having been out of action since March due to injury. In the first meeting between the two clubs this season, Evans impressed despite United triumphing 4-1.