Fans left concerned as Sheffield United confirm departure of four players

Fans have been left concerned as Sheffield United confirm the departure of four players, as wait goes on regarding the takeover.

The likes of John Egan, Ben Osborn, Oli McBurnie, and Daniel Jebbison have left the club after their contracts expired.

There is growing frustration within the fanbase over the club’s communication, and their future, particularly if a rumoured takeover does not happen.

The Blades begin the 2024/25 season in the Championship on -2 points (handed to them just before they were relegated from the Premier League) for defaulting on payments to other clubs during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, with a further two points suspended.

They have already seen Jordan Amissah, Chris Basham, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham, Max Lowe, Ollie Norwood, leave while loan players Mason Holgate, Yasser Larouci, James McAtee, Ben Brereton Diaz return to parent clubs.

Manager Chris Wilder is reportedly lining up reinforcements, which would need to be put past the club’s prospective new owners and middle man Des Taylor for approval.

But for the time being, Wilder is in talks with free agents such as defender Sam McCallum while the EFL decide on the suitability of the financiers.

#SUFC can confirm that the contracts of John Egan, Ben Osborn, Oli McBurnie and Daniel Jebbison have expired.

We extend our gratitude for their significant contributions to the club and will be paying tribute to them on social media in the coming days. ❤️

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) July 1, 2024

Egs, Ozzy, Oli and Jebbo…

Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BZ0DnOraA2

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) July 1, 2024

STATEMENT:

The club can confirm that the contracts of four players have expired.

John Egan, Oli McBurnie and Daniel Jebbison, the latter rejected United’s sizable latest offer, are all now free agents.

Meanwhile, it was recently announced that Ben Osborn, who was also set to be available on a free transfer, has now signed for his hometown club, Derby County.

Conversations with McBurnie’s representatives will continue.

Club captain Egan joined United from Brentford in the summer of 2018 and made well in excess of 200 appearances as a Blade. That spell included two promotions from the Championship and subsequently three seasons in the Premier League.

McBurnie, a fans’ favourite since his arrival from Swansea City in August 2019, scored 29 goals for the Blades in 159 games, with the majority of his time at S2 spent in the top-flight.

Jebbison made 35 outings as a United player, having hit the headlines in May 2021 when scoring against Everton at Goodison Park on his full debut.

Finally, Osborn amassed 134 appearances as a Blade following his move from Nottingham Forest in July 2019.

Sheffield United would like to thank all four for their contributions in a red and white shirt.

John Egan said in a social media post: “To Sheffield United, It’s hard to put into words how special the last 6 years at Sheffield United have been for me, my family & friends.

“I have nothing but gratitude & respect for everyone that I have come across at this great football club. T

“wo promotions to the Premier League, an FA Cup Semi Final & a top half finish in the Premier League are just some of the high points that stick out, which we all worked so hard to achieve.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank the fans, your unwavering support has been incredible, through all of the highs & lows. You are the reason it is such an amazing club to play for.

“To the manager and previous managers, thank you for believing in me & helping me become a better player & person.

“To the staff, thank you for all of your hard work and support behind the scenes.

“To all of my teammates over the last 6 years, it was an absolute pleasure to spend every day surrounded by top players but most importantly top people.

“The memories we have made will live with me forever.

“I wish you all the best for the future. Once a Blade, Always a Blade John Egan.”

Ben Osborn, who has signed for Derby County, tweeted: “2 months ago i did not expect this to happen but things change in football very quickly 😃.

“Loved my time up in Sheffield with the Blades, met some friends for life and created unbelievable memories. Let’s ave it then shall we Rams?”

2 months ago i did not expect this to happen but things change in football very quickly 😃. Loved my time up in Sheffield with the Blades, met some friends for life and created unbelievable memories.

Let’s ave it then shall we Rams? pic.twitter.com/69QQkIzpmG

— Ben Osborn (@OsbornOn1) June 30, 2024

As mentioned, fans have been left concerned as Sheffield United confirm the departure of four players…

@Furbs33: Currently the entire fan base feels completely dejected. There is nothing to give us hope or a sense that we’re going to make next season a goer. It’s worst than last summer which takes some beating. A free signing here and there is not going to change the mood.

@Hyndo24: Next thing you tweet better be an American corner flag

@JackWalters92: Rounds off a horrendous day to be a Blade. Need 16-20 new signings now for me which cover inevitable departures of Anel and Souza as well. Massive 4 weeks coming for us now.

@OllieStubbins: Got some work to do – we suffered all year from a bad summer last year, how hard can it be to get a takeover completed, surely it should’ve been almost done before the media even knew?

@BellersTheBlade: Hugely disappointing 12 months just gets worse. Fans continue to spend on season tickets only to kept in dark on all fronts until pathetic announcements like this, sending loved players out the back door. It really is concerning how this club is ran

@MartinC80917408: Please make a statement to inform supporters what’s happening at our club please ⚔️🔴⚪️⚫️⚔️

@jablot218: Can the last player to leave please turn off the lights ! 🤬

@AndyAndycarr45: Is there any players left???

@Notts_Blade: Is that only 11 left from last year?

@AshBlade07: contracted players – Brewster, Brooks, Bogle, Robinson, Hamer, Souza, Slimane, Osula, Trusty, Traore, T Davis, Grbic, Anel, Curtis, Seriki, Arblaster, Hackford, Buyabu, Oné, N Davies

@Notts_Blade: I’d expect at least 4 more of those to go. Did anyone sport any pics of Vini, Anel or Grbic? I can’t see them staying

@seanydisora: Either something incredible is going to happen with this takeover… or we are absolutely doomed

@_theow97: Gonna be another good season 🥴🥴

@SeanSal77: League One here we come.

@Annies_song_: Has the owner totally given up now 🤣

@JonjoWild33686: HAVE WE A TEAM FOR THIS SEASON ?

@JLew_30: Relegated by Christmas. Embarrassing

@JasonKinder38: League One incoming!

@Justlewy_: Absolute Joke.

@blades2270: Think we are doomed

@james_scholey: Clubs an absolute shambles and see no light at end of the tunnel for this to end.

@mattsnell78: The way this football club is run is completely indefensible. The takeover is a smokescreen as being in negotiations on a sale does not mean you have to stop running your business. Wilder must be pulling his hair out.

@chattymonkey: Just in case you don’t know, our first game is in 5 weeks time. Does it matter if we don’t have a team?

@jaynetn1409: When are we going to get some positive news? This is so unfair on fans who have renewed season tickets. Give us something. Please!

@S10Blade: The people taking over at SUFC will need very deep pockets. Let’s just hope they have equally long arms to rebuild our threadbare squad. There’s a case for and against resigning all the above. Not sure the pros of keeping any of them, outweighs the cons.

@mattkitson2: Mcburnie now 😂 fuck me we need 12 signings

@DaveEva73349638: Please tell me why I should extend my contract with you? (Season ticket) cos from where I’m standing it seems like nobody at the club seems to give a fuck, so why should I?

@FowlerReece: JOKE CLUB!!!! No communication with fans, nothing about the takeover, no movement on signings!!! We’ve hardly got a squad…. And the season starts in a months time!!!! SORT YA SENS OUT NAH!!!!!