Sheffield United striker and ex-Leeds United and Middlesbrough man Patrick Bamford wins Championship gong
SHEFFIELD United forward Patrick Bamford has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for December.
The ex-Leeds United and Middlesbrough striker, 32, who signed an 18-month deal with the Blades earlier this month after signing a short-term contract last year, notched four goals in six games in the festive month for United, including a brilliant flicked volley in the Boxing Day game at Wrexham.
He netted a brace in north Wales and also scored in the home wins against Stoke City and Birmingham City.
Blades manager Chris Wilder said: "Pat has been the perfect fit for this football club, I’ve often talked about the characteristics of a Sheffield United player, and that’s what I see in Pat.
"The impact he’s had is clear with the goals he’s scored and the results we’ve had as a team, he’s become a really important figure.
"To have him here now on a longer contract is key, and it’s no surprise to me to see that his form has been recognised with this award. It’s been a great start to his time here, the incentive for him now is to go and get the next award.”
Bamford added: "I'm really happy. I'm surprised, I guess, a little bit because I wasn't ever thinking about any individual awards and that was the least of my priorities when coming in, but I think it's testament to the group and the staff and the players.
"I know it's an individual award, but obviously, as a striker, you can't do it without your teammates, so I owe a lot to them for that.”
Ex-Huddersfield Town midfielder Leo Castledine, now at Middlesbrough, scooped the player-of-the-month accolade for League One in December.