Prince enticed by challenge of lifting Blades

Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has become joint owner with Kevin McCabe after buying a 50 per cent stake in United’s parent company for £1.

The 47-year-old Prince – who was earlier this year linked with investment at Leeds United and had been in talks with several English clubs – has promised to invest much-needed cash in the first team over the next few years.

The Bramall Lane club, currently languishing in the bottom half of League One, were forced to sell star midfielder Kevin McDonald to rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers and manager David Weir has needed to rely on youngsters.

But after signing two players with Premier League pedigree in Florent Cuvelier from Stoke City and Manchester City striker Harry Bunn on transfer deadline day, there is already a hint of brighter times ahead at United.

Prince Abdullah chose United over several other higher-profile clubs because of their history, plus a stadium and Academy which are fit for the top flight.

“I am delighted to invest in such a sensibly-organised, family and community club with a great history and heritage,” said Prince Abdullah.

“Joining Sheffield United FC at a time close to its 125th year in existence is significant to me and, like Kevin, I am determined to see it achieve its goals and look forward to working with the whole Blades community.

“However, money will be spent judiciously, and in any case we must comply with the Salary Cost Management Protocol.”

The Blades have been compelled to sell the likes of Matt Lowton, Stephen Quinn and Nick Blackman in recent years, but their new financial clout means the futures of goalkeeper George Long and Harry Maguire now look secure.

Blades director Scott McCabe believes the Saudi Prince was attracted to the challenge of restoring the Blades to the Premier League despite overtures from other English clubs.

“I can’t comment on any individual clubs the Prince may or may not have spoken to, but I know he had spoken to other football clubs and had some dealings with them,” said McCabe.

“The attraction to him at United is we are a great club, we have Premier League potential, Sheffield has the history and heritage that he buys into.

“We are a football club ready for the Premier League. He buys into a club that he sees is ready and raring to go to get back in the Premier League.

“That’s probably part of the attraction; he’s not going for the ready-made product of a Premier League club that’s already there.

“The challenge of getting there and doing it in a more sensible approach – obviously we will have more money to spend – rather than going gung-ho and spending tens of millions, year on year. He’s bought into that challenge.

“It’s great news for Sheffield United Football Club. It potentially takes us to another level.

“What’s great about the news is that the investment the Prince is making, as our partner, co-owner, goes purely into first-team football to strengthen the squad.

“With a plan that we have agreed with the Prince, over a period of time, we hope to achieve our ambitions of getting back to the Premier League.”

The Blades have been working on this investment deal since January, with the McCabes travelling to the Middle East and also holding meetings in London away from prying eyes in Sheffield.

“We have kept it very tightly-knit. I suppose being a League One club does sometimes have its advantages,” said McCabe. “You are not on the national radar as much.

“Much of the dialogue has happened in the Prince’s home territory of Saudi Arabia – where we met the Prince and his advisers – (and) also in London, so it’s been away from Sheffield and the Yorkshire region so it probably hasn’t raised eyebrows.

“We have kept (negotiations) very watertight.”

The Blades have been looking for fresh investment for several years after dropping out of the Premier League, and had talks with Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung before he invested in Birmingham City in 2009.

Owner Kevin McCabe was delighted his patience in waiting for the right investor has finally paid off.

“We are thrilled to be building this new partnership for Sheffield United with Prince Abdullah, who shares our vision for the Blades to join the top tier of English football,” said Kevin McCabe.

“The McCabe family remains wholly committed and over the past 10 years has invested more than £90m in rebuilding our fine and proud club, which now has a top-class stadium, academy and junior development centre.

“We’ve been looking for partner investors for six years and this is fantastic.

“This is game-changing for this club and the funds being invested in the team are substantial.

“The money being made available is for investment at first-team level and that means building a squad that can get us back to the upper echelons of English football.

“The partner is here for the long term and I’ve got to know him well, and I’m delighted that he’s on board.”

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Fantasy football time at Blades: Page 24.