Wilder Explains Why Sheffield United Loanee Can Play Against His Own Team On Saturday

Wilder Explains Why Sheffield United Loanee Can Play Against His Own Team On Saturday

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has explained the reason why Ryan Leonard will be allowed to face his parent club when the Blades play Millwall on Saturday.

The midfielder sealed a six-month loan move back in August but the United boss says that 26-year-old’s switch to the Lions is effectively a permanent deal:

“Like Ollie Norwood coming here (on loan from Brighton), it’s really a permanent. He’s not coming back to us. It’s not like a loan to loan between windows. Ryan is a good player, it’s just a deal that we did.”

Leonard will move to the Den in January for £1.4m. During his time with Millwall, he has already established himself as a first team regular, playing the full 90 minutes in the club’s last three Championship games.

The midfielder’s time at Bramall Lane was pretty short. He was signed from Southend United in last season’s January transfer window.

However, he made just 17 appearances for the Blades, with the club signing Oliver Norwood from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, effectively as a replacement.

Despite spending only seven months with United, the club have made a profit on his eventual sale to Millwall.