Not many will have seen it coming before reports emerged earlier this week, but Patrick Bamford has completed a move to Sheffield United after leaving Leeds United in the summer.
Bamford, 32, left Leeds in the summer after seven years at Elland Road. Daniel Farke informed the one-time England international that he would have no future at Leeds, despite his years of service to the club.
Many argue that the club made the wrong decision to let Bamford leave, especially with the club failing to prove effective in the final third this season. Three months after he left Leeds, he now has a new club.
Reports emerged this week that Sheffield United were in talks with Bamford, and on Thursday morning, Chris Wilder’s side completed the signing of Bamford. He has signed a short-term deal until January.
Leeds fans question Bamford’s move to Sheffield United
It feels like a bizarre move. Wilder and Bamford have history, from Wilder questioning Bamford during Sheffield United’s promotion in 2018-19, to Bamford singing about Wilder after promotion in May.
Bamford even scored against Sheffield United during a 1-0 win for Leeds during the early stages of the 2020-21 Premier League season. A header into the far corner from a Jack Harrison cross at Bramall Lane.
Following Sheffield United’s confirmation of Bamford’s arrival at Bramall Lane, Leeds fans have reacted on social media. Many are stunned, while others suggest it doesn’t look right, to see Bamford in that shirt.
Typically, and hilariously, many Leeds fans recounted the expletive-laden chant that Bamford started outside of Elland Road about Wilder. But Leeds fans are in disbelief that Bamford has joined The Blades.
Another said “That looks so strange”, as images emerged of Bamford in red and white stripes. Another said that the move was “very, very random”, as Bamford looks to help the Blades out of the drop zone.
The feeling among the fanbase is that it is a surprise move, while another described the length of his Leeds deal as “ridiculous”. One Leeds fan even suggested that Daniel Farke “should have kept him”.
Patrick Bamford’s timeline since Leeds United exit in August
Following his exit, it emerged that Bamford had held talks with Celtic. However, shortly after those reports emerged, Celtic decided to sign Kelechi Iheanacho in a move that saw him reunite with Brendan Rodgers.
Then, there were bizarre reports about a move to Getafe, a move that would have seen Bamford playing in the top tier of Spanish football, even coming up against Largie Ramazani and Mateo Joseph.
But that didn’t materialise. Bamford has been training with Coventry, but Frank Lampard ruled out any chance of Bamford actually joining Coventry. Now, Bamford has linked up with Wilder at Sheffield United.
Sheffield United’s first game after the break, ironically, is Sheffield Wednesday. Whether Bamford will be in the squad to take on the Owls remains to be seen. But Leeds fans will certainly be watching on.
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