Sheffield United defender Kieron Freeman joins Bramall Lane exodus

Kieron Freeman.Kieron Freeman.
Kieron Freeman.
Sheffield United defender Kieron Freeman has become the latest player to leave the Blades as Nigel Adkins continues to prune his over-sized squad.

The 23-year-old defender has joined League Two side Portsmouth - where he will team up with some familiar faces like Marc McNulty - for the remainder of the season.

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Former Derby County full-back Freeman - who last featured for the Blades at Barnsley in November - has made 22 appearance for United under Adkins.

“I got the call from the gaffer and I was excited to come down here because it’s a really big club,” said Freeman.

“I know quite a few of the boys already and that will certainly help me to settle in quickly.

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“I’ve played in front of big crowds at Sheffield United before and I know that Pompey also have an impressive following.

“So I’m looking forward to getting some more games under my belt and hopefully help to get this team promoted.”

Freeman is cup-tied for Pompey’s FA Cup tie with Premier League Bournemouth this weekend.

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The Blades have a blank weekend due to the FA Cup, but that could benefit several players who are struggling with injuries.

Striker Billy Sharp came off in the 0-0 draw at Blackpool on Tuesday night with a foot injury, while Chris Basham and Matt Done missed out at Bloomfield Road with muscular injuries.

Boss Adkins is optimistic all three will be fit when the Blades resume the league fixtures a week Saturday against Wigan.

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“Billy had run his race on Tuesday,” he said. “He has had to have painkilling injections in his foot before games for the last few weeks now and also picked up a dead leg against Swindon.

“So we decided the time was right to give him a breather and unleash Che Adams, Che nearly went through on goal a couple of times, but it didn’t quite happen for him, on what was a frustrating evening.

“Chris (Basham) should be fine for Wigan, he has been carrying a niggling injury for a few games too, the same with Matty (Done) who was just feeling his hamstrings again and we didn’t want to risk losing him for weeks at this stage of the season.”