Sheffield United secure signing of Chelsea defender previously linked with Leeds United and Preston North End

Sheffield United have signed defender Alfie Gilchrist from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.

The move marks the 20-year-old’s first away from the Blues, following his ascent through the Stamford Bridge youth ranks and into the senior side. He featured on 11 occasions in the Premier League last season and now has an opportunity for regular minutes in the Championship.

After putting pen to paper, he said: "I am really looking forward to it. It is a great opportunity which the club and the manager have given to me. I am just looking forward to getting started. It has always been the plan to showcase what I can do in the Premier League with the chances I've had, so now I want to try and do that week in, week out, here.

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"This is a new challenge. I am taking myself out of my comfort zone. I've been there (at Chelsea) a while now, so I am ready to kick on. I came here last season for an away day, and seeing the fans and how they get behind the team, how much they love it, I was impressed."

Chelsea have loaned Alfie Gilchrist out to Sheffield United. Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesChelsea have loaned Alfie Gilchrist out to Sheffield United. Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Chelsea have loaned Alfie Gilchrist out to Sheffield United. Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

A versatile figure, Gilchrist can operate at right-back or centre-back. He was said to be on the radar of a raft of Championship clubs, with Leeds United and Preston North End among those linked with swoops for his signature.

However, he has become the latest to commit to the Blades for the 2024/25 season. The defender is Sheffield United’s seventh senior signing of the summer window, becoming the second loan addition following the capture of Harry Souttar from Leicester City.

Blades boss Chris Wilder said: "The loan market tends to be one which intensifies later in the window, so we accepted we would have to wait a little longer if we wanted our top targets. Alfie was always one of those players who featured high on our wanted list.

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"Everyone in the game is aware of Alfie and his abilities, so our pitch to him, and Chelsea, had to be spot on. There's been a lot of work behind the scenes to get this deal through, and we're looking forward to working with a really talented player.

"Alfie's had a taste of playing at the highest level, and having spoken to him, he's keen to get more games under his belt. He's ready to take the next opportunity in his career and we're delighted to have added him to our squad."

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