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Sheffield Utd become first English club to sign foreign player from Russian team under new rules

Sheffield Utd become the first English club to sign a foreign player from a Russian team under new rules following the Ukraine invasion.

The Blades have signed Croatian international central defender Filip Uremovic on a deal until the end of the season.

The 25-year old, who has six caps, had his contract with Russian side Rubin Kazan suspended because Russia went to war with Ukraine.

Earlier this month, FIFA said they would allowed a special transfer window for foreign players stranded in Russia to play elsewhere to keep match fitness up instead of having career on hold.

World players union FIFPro have told FIFA to ensure Russian clubs to allow the release of non-Russian players in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s latest decisions.

FIFPro is reportedly lobbying FIFA to allow foreign players registered with Russian teams to be designated as free agents to aid their moves to an alternative club.

The signing of Uremovic will be vital to Sheffield United’s defensive woes as the Blades have been hit by a series of injuries to key players.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Paul Heckingbottom has bolstered his defensive options ahead of the Sky Bet Championship run-in with the addition of a Croatian international central defender.

Filip Uremović, 25, arrives on a deal initially until the end of the season, having recently had his contract with Russian side Rubin Kazan suspended.

Understandably, boss Heckingbottom is happy with the timing of the signing and the pedigree of the player United have managed to recruit outside of the transfer window.

He commented: “Filip is someone our recruitment team know all about, they’ve watched him since he played for Croatia U21s, but financially he’s always been out of the club’s reach.

“Unfortunately, because of the terrible situation between Ukraine and Russia, players have had contracts suspended and after someone contacted me about him, we spoke and thankfully he sees this as a great place to come and play in the short-term.”

On joining the Blades, Uremović knows the immediate target this season and hopes to play a key role, commenting: “This is a really big club, and it is an honour and privilege to now have an opportunity to play here. I hope we will achieve our goals this season.

“It was a busy day on Saturday, I flew in from Croatia and watched the victory over Barnsley and it was an important three points. It was quite a good performance and we showed we were the better team.

“The atmosphere was really good, and I was happy to see so many people. It was a very quick deal after what happened with me in Russia last week, I got an offer from United, and I am very happy to be here.”

Born in Požega, Uremović started his career in his homeland with Cibalia, before joining the youth ranks of Dinamo Zagreb, during a spell where he also made his international debut at U19 level.

After two seasons with Zagreb, Uremović then moved to Slovenia and joined Olimpija Ljubljana where he played 18 times before penning a four-deal with Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan in June 2018.

Uremović has gone on to establish himself at the Kazan Arena and also has European experience on his CV. The defender has also got six full Croatian caps to his name having progressed through the U19s and U21s. He made his senior international debut in September 2020 in the Nations League against France.

Twitter users reacted as Sheffield Utd become the first English club to sign a foreign player from a Russian team under new rules…

@jd_eyefortalent: He’s been Rubin Kazan’s captain for the last couple of years, also he’s a Croatian international. Reasons to get excited, he’s class.

@PaddysMad: This is actually a decent signing.

@WillJ_S2: No idea who he is but seems like a good signing to make outside the transfer window with international experience and top flight football. Cheers Putin

@fatladfromShef: Recently playing in Russia for Rubin Kazan until his contract was cancelled due to sanctions. Stats look good

@jonathonchapma2: What a signing that is, all thanks to Vladimir, only affordable due to a war, that’s the United way

@M_Eggy1: Good luck to anyone that comes up with a song for him.

@BenHaigh_94: Filipin brilliant signing! 🇭🇷

@LeeSimmo73: Don’t know anything about him , but he looks like he’d head pallets of bricks.

@sufcdan12: What a random signing but I’m loving it

@b_blades04: Imagine he’s a fucking baller and we have no clue #twitterblades

@RFN_David: Very cool, Uremovic is a solid defender.

@joe_chopper: OH MY FUCKING GOD WHAT A SIGNING 😍😍😍🥰

@RedSheffield: Unexpected but we will take it. Sadly this probably means that Basham is out longer than we initially expected.

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