Sheffield United have agreed to sign Leeds United star Jamie Shackleton on a free transfer, according to Football Insider sources.
Shackleton’s contract with Leeds expires this weekend, allowing the Blades to step in and offer him a move across Yorkshire.
It is anticipated that a comprehensive arrangement has been reached, and Shackleton will move to Bramall Lane in the coming days.
According to Football Insider [4 February], Leeds attempted to agree on a contract extension for the 24-year-old last season, but negotiations could not be reached, and Shackleton is expected to become Chris Wilder’s first summer acquisition.
Shackleton, a versatile player who has played full-back and in midfield, will be brought in to give Sheffield United more alternatives after George Baldock, Oliver Norwood, and Max Lowe all left Bramall Lane.
Injury-stricken Chris Basham has also left, with loanees Ben Brereton Diaz and Yasser Larouci returning to their original clubs.
Sheffield United make a play for Shackleton
Wilder and Sheffield United are eager to get things started early as the team prepares for another Championship scrap.
Shackleton, who joined Leeds at the age of seven, provides top-level expertise to the Blades team.
He has made 94 first-team appearances for Leeds over the course of six years, battling various injuries.
The utility player’s best productive season came during a loan stay with Millwall in 2022-23, when he made 37 appearances across all competitions.
While Leeds has more serious issues about selling players and shaping their team this summer, the club will be sad to lose a successful academy graduate for free.
Elsewhere in Wilder’s Sheffield United roster overhaul, Football Insider [6 June] understands the club is keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall ahead of a possible move.
