Official: Ben Woodburn Joins Sheffield United on Season-Long Loan

The highly-touted 18-year-old will spend the coming season with Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United.

After remaining at Liverpool last season and finding minutes difficult to come by after the club fell out of the League Cup, 18-year-old Ben Woodburn is heading out on loan, officially joining Sheffield United today on a season-long loan to continue his development.

Sheffield beat out early favourites Aston Villa to signing the player with the promise of a larger role for Woodburn—and a willingness to sign a loan deal that will see them penelised if he doesn’t get enough minutes this season, which start this Saturday against Swansea.

Sheffield finished 10th in the Championship last season and will be looking to push for promotion to the Premier League this season. They also play an enjoyable brand of football under manager Chris Wilder, which was part of the draw for Liverpool and Woodburn.

“I’ve enjoyed a few chats with the manager and his aims are similar to mine and I expect us to have a good season,” Woodburn said following the move. “I’m looking forward to coming out on-loan to play games and it’s an exciting time. I can’t wait for the weekend.”

In total, Wooburn has made 11 senior appearances for Liverpool, scoring once in the League Cup against Leeds United. However, nine of those appearances were in the 2016-17 season and only two came last year, highlighting the need to head off on loan this year.

“Ben is a great signing for us,” noted Sheffield manager Chris Wilder. “He is an exciting player with undoubted quality. He makes goals and score goals with both feet, he can play in a couple of attacking positions and gives us flexibility at the top of the pitch.”

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com