[themaclad]

from fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle for a "significant" fee.

Devon-born Cooper completed a medical with the Blades and will join for an initial fee believed to be £2m, potentially rising to £4m with add-ons, , externalincluding a percentage of the profit from any future sell-on fee.

The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Home Park and made 161 appearances for the Pilgrims.

But his future at the club has been in doubt ever since Wayne Rooney took over as head coach in early July.

Cooper, a key figure in the club's League One-winning campaign in 2022-23 and survival in the Championship last term, has was not been involved in Argyle's two games under Rooney this season - the opening league defeat by Sheffield Wednesday and the EFL Cup win over Cheltenham.

Cooper is Sheffield United's eighth permanent deal of the transfer window as they remould their squad following relegation from the Premier League.

The Blades have made a 100% winning start so far, beating Preston in their first Championship game of the season and then seeing off Wrexham in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

"Michael has been one of our major targets, which is why we have persevered on this deal and he was very keen to join," Blades boss Chris Wilder told the club's website., external

"He's young at 24, but with over 150 games behind him, so there's experience there too. He's a winner, as proven by the role he played in getting Plymouth into this division, and he now has Championship experience behind him too."


Michael Cooper will always hold a special place in the hearts of Argyle fans - he made his debut as an 18-year-old substitute in October 2017 after all three of the club’s senior goalkeepers were injured.

The Plymouth-born academy graduate became first choice at the start of the 2020-21 season and helped the club win promotion to the Championship and reach the EFL Trophy final in 2023 – although he missed both after a serious knee injury.

In that time he established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in the EFL and was first-choice when fit last season – playing a crucial role in the run-in as Argyle secured Championship survival.

While the reported fee of around £2m might seem low for a such a highly-rated young goalkeeper, he only had a year left to run on his contract.

It would be stunning if Argyle did not have significant performance-based and sell-on clauses, should Cooper reach the heights many at Home Park feel he is capable of doing.

[themaclad]

Sheffield United have signed Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on a season-long loan deal and Rhys Norrington-Davies has agreed a new deal until 2027.

Rak-Sakyi, 21, made eight appearances for the Eagles last season and scored 15 goals in 43 matches in a loan spell with League One Charlton in 2022-23,

"The plan that the gaffer [Chris Wilder] had for me when we spoke was good to hear, that was why I decided to come," he told the club website., external

"It was my first choice, I didn't take in the outside noise, when I spoke to the gaffer I knew it was the right place for me.

"I want to play more football, this is about me getting out and playing as many games as I can."

Norrington-Davies, 25, made his first appearance since February in Tuesday's 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Wrexham.

The Wales defender suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out for the second half of last season.

[themaclad]

Sheffield United goalkeeper Ivo Grbic has signed a season-long loan deal with Turkish side Caykur Rizespor.

The 28-year-old Croat joined the Blades in January and made nine appearances in the Premier League as they finished bottom last season.

His only appearance for Chris Wilder's side this campaign came in the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Wrexham last month.

The summer transfer window for Turkish clubs closes on 13 September.

[themaclad]

Sheffield United have signed Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Chile forward ended last season on loan at Bramall Lane and scored six goals in 14 Premier League appearances for the Blades.

He joined Southampton from Villareal for £7m in the summer but has not scored in 13 league and cup games for the Saints.

"He's a player I've admired for a long time," boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I always had it in the back of my mind when he left us at the end of the season that one day we'd reunite. He impressed so many people in a difficult season.

"It's a good signing for us and I'm delighted that he wanted to come back here. It's a great fit for us."

He could feature for the Blades, who are second in the Championship, in Tuesday's trip to Swansea City.

[themaclad]

Sheffield United have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland striker Tom Cannon from Leicester for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £10m.

Cannon, who turned 22 last month, has signed a four-year contract at Bramall Lane, with an option for an additional 12 months.

Cannon came through the ranks at Everton and had a spell on loan at Preston North End before joining the Foxes, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League under Enzo Maresca last season.

He spent the first half of this season on loan at Championship Stoke, scoring 11 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, before moving to United at a time when they are one point off the top of the table with 18 games remaining.

He becomes the Blades second attacking signing in four days following the arrival of Chile striker Ben Brereton-Diaz on loan from Southampton.

"This is a big statement by the owners and shows the ambition of the football club," Chris Wilder told the club website, external. "Bringing in someone of the calibre of Tom at this time will excite the supporters and energise the group.

"He is of a good age to develop but also has the experience of this level, both important factors. I spoke to Tom in the summer, he's aware that I am a big fan of his talents, I'm delighted he is a Blade and part of our longer-term vision."

Speaking on Thursday, Wilder was confident Cannon would be signed in time to make his debut against Hull City at Bramall Lane tonight with the Blades able to reclaim top spot in the Championship from Leeds United.

"I am absolutely delighted. I am just looking forward to stepping out at Bramall Lane and getting going," Cannon added.

"Everybody knows the size of the club, and the fanbase. I am just delighted to be here and after speaking to the manager, I heard nothing but good words about the place.

"He (Wilder) just filled me with a lot of confidence which is always nice from a manager. He's just said nothing but good things about the club and the direction he wants to take it moving forward. It was something I really wanted to be a part of."

[themaclad]

Sheffield United have signed Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury on loan until the end of the season.

Choudhury, 27, has made 91 league appearances for the Foxes and worked under Blades boss Chris Wilder during a season-long loan spell with Watford in 2022-23.

The former England Under-21 international could make his debut for the promotion chasers in Saturday's trip to Derby County.

"It has been going on for a couple of weeks but I'm happy to be here and ready to get going," Choudhury told the club website., external

"I've seen the position that the team has put itself in and I want to come here and help.

"I worked with the gaffer for a couple of months at Watford, it was short, but I enjoyed it, so when he called there was only one answer from me."

Choudhury is the third player to join the Blades this month after the loan signing of Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz and the permanent deal for Leicester striker Tom Cannon.

[themaclad]

Sheffield United have signed Ipswich Town defender Harry Clarke on loan until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old won promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich last season and has made seven top-flight appearances for them this campaign.

He is the fourth player to join the Blades, who are second in the Championship, this month after midfielder Hamza Choudhury and forwards Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon.

"Where the boys are here, going for promotion, it was a no-brainer really," he told the club website., external

"It's a tough league; anyone can beat anyone on their day. I know what it took last year so hopefully I can bring that experience.

"I am young but I've been there, so hopefully we can achieve something this year."

Clarke started his career at Arsenal and had loan spells with Oldham, Ross County, Hibernian and Stoke before joining his hometown team Ipswich in January 2023.

He helped Ipswich finish second in League One that season and was part of the squad that secured back-to-back promotions the following campaign as they finished second in the Championship.

[themaclad]

Sheffield United have signed Nigerian youngster Ehije Ukaki from Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Most commonly deployed as a winger, the 20-year-old follows in the footsteps of former team-mate Christian Nwachukwu in moving to Bramall Lane.

Last season, Ukaki scored seven times in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Bulgarian top-flight outfit.

He notably netted the winning goal in the Plovdiv derby against rivals Lokomotiv in December.

"Ehije is a player who has been identified through our data driven strategy and is someone we're looking forward to developing," Blades boss Chris Wilder told the club website., external

"He's an emerging talent, still only 20, who has enjoyed some experience of European football early in his career, so there's a base to work from."