From Chelsea’s trophy-hoarding centre-back to Leicester City’s League Champion, Sheffield United have welcomed some big names to Bramall Lane.
Loans are like a box of chocolates. And, from England captains to Euro 2016 stars, Sheffield United have experienced the highs and the lows of the temporary deal.
But who are the biggest names to have arrived at Bramall Lane on a short-term basis?
Carl Ikeme
A regular between the sticks at Wolves, it’s fair to say the ten-time Nigeria international has far fewer admirers at Bramall Lane. A month long loan from Molineux was disrupted by a hamstring injury, culminating in just two brief appearances.
Kyle Walker
Now an undisputed member of each and every England squad, Walker is the epitome of a local lad come good. The jet-heeled right-back rose through the ranks at the Steel City giants, earning a move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2009.
However, a loan return to Bramall Lane a year later set him on his way to becoming one half of the finest full-back partnership in the European game alongside fellow Yorkshire-born flyer Danny Rose.
Kyle Bartley
After just six months with The Blades, classy Arsenal-owned centre-back Bartley chose to bring an end to his own temporary stay after United boss Nigel Adkins brought in Danny Collins as competition, as reported by the BBC.
Fortunately for Leeds United, he appears to have settled at Elland Road. A Premier League quality defender serving his apprenticeship in the division below.
Gary Cahill
Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, any trophy Gary Cahill hasn’t hoisted above his head is hardly worth winning. Though a boyhood Wednesday fanatic, past allegiances did not stop the 31-year-old offering the odd glimpse of his talents during a three-month loan in 2007/08.
Danny Lafferty
A regular member of Chris Wilder’s league-leading current crop, the Burnley owned left-back may have only appeared once in the Premier League for The Clarets but he has shown this season that he belongs at a higher level.
Whether that is in the Championship with United remains to be seen.
Matt Phillips
One of the most astute bargains of the 2016/17 Premier League season, West Brom winger Phillips has produced more assists in the current campaign (eight) than Eden Hazard, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley and Paul Pogba.
He was equally efficient during a short-term spell with The Blades, scoring five times in six League One games in 2011/12.
Conor Coady
A former Liverpool youth captain and England Under-20 international, Coady has carved out a solid if not spectacular career lower down the English football pyramid. Currently with Wolves, he will be fondly remembered at Bramall Lane for an impressive temporary spell in 2013/14.
In fact, Nigel Clough was so enamoured by Coady’s performances that he extended his loan twice in just two months.
Gary Speed
The late, great Gary Speed ended a distinguished playing career with Sheffield United, retiring at the grand old age of 41 in 2010. The Welsh legend then cut his managerial teeth with The Blades before laying the foundations for his countries’ remarkable rise up the FIFA rankings.
Chris Coleman’s Dragons, reaching the semi-final of Euro 2016, will forever be indebted to Speed’s work.
Nathan Dyer
Just to put it out there, Nathan Dyer has more Premier League title wins than Steven Gerrard. Despite playing a bit part role in Leicester City’s remarkable title triumph, the winger will always have that medal as a momento.
It’s fair to say he’ll remember his time at the King Power more than a seven-game spell with Sheffield United in 2008.
Sam Vokes
That soaring header against Belgium at Euro 2016 scribed Vokes’ name into Welsh football folklore. His strike in a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest in March 2011 probably won’t induce the same nostalgia in United supporters.
That was the Burnley targetman’s only goal in six appearances in red and white with the Sheffield Telegraph reporting that he was deemed surplus to requirements by then manager Micky Adams.
Anthony Stokes
A four-time Scottish Premiership champion with Celtic, Stokes enjoyed distinctly less success during a three-month loan from Sunderland in 2008. In 12 games, he failed to score a single goal.
Now at Blackburn Rovers, injuries have prevented the Scotland international from kick-starting his career.
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