Medical underway as second Leeds United title-winner to join Patrick Bamford at Sheffield United
Ex-Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford will be a familiar face for Sheffield United's imminent deadline day signing.
A second 2024/25 Leeds United Championship title winner looks set to join Sheffield United this season, following Patrick Bamford to Bramall Lane.
Joe Rothwell spent just one season on loan at Leeds but what a season it was. The 31-year-old joined on loan from Bournemouth in summer 2024 to play his part in a 100-point campaign that was good enough for promotion and silverware.
The dynamic midfielder played 36 Championship games, starting 24 and registering four assists. While he never managed to find the net himself, Rothwell played a huge part in promotion, memorably setting up Pascal Struijk twice as Leeds came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 in February.
Rothwell also stepped in to play a string of games alongside Ao Tanaka when Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev suffered serious knee injuries. Many felt Leeds had a midfield crisis on their hands but the two summer signings were brilliant together.
Leeds opted against making Rothwell’s loan permanent following promotion as their recruitment process focused on physicality over technicality, although 49ers Enterprises did decide to sign the midfielder for Rangers. But having played just 409 minutes of Scottish Premiership football amid managerial change, he looks set for a Championship return.
Leeds United title winner Joe Rothwell set for Sheffield United medical
The Sheffield Star reports that after reaching a breakthrough, Sheffield United are edging closer towards signing Rothwell on deadline day. The Leeds title winner has been booked in for medical tests on Monday ahead of picking the Blades over Wrexham and Derby County.
“Joe’s in situ and hopefully we can get that one over the line,” Blades boss Chris Wilder said of the deal on Monday. “He’s somebody that gives us that strength in depth in that midfield department. He is someone I have liked for quite a long time.”
A move for Rothwell is believed to be ‘rapidly advancing’ with the midfielder set to reunite with Bamford, having played alongside the striker at Elland Road last season. He will also play alongside another former Leeds man, albeit not one he was with in LS11.
Sheffield United confirmed the signing of Leo Hjelde on loan from Sunderland on Monday. The Blades squad also boasts ex-Whites midfielder Jamie Shackleton.
Speaking back in February last year, Rothwell opened up on the difficulties of moving from Bournemouth to Leeds on loan and having to leave family. He said: “I made the decision with my wife to leave them, it’s been tough.
“I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like to but we knew it was a sacrifice we had to make. Hopefully next season we’re back together again. It’s gone as well as it could have done, it took some time but when I got that chance I knew I could show what I’m about. It’s gone better than I could have expected.”