Here are 13 former Sheffield United men released by their current clubs ahead of the new season - including players who were once highly-rated young stars and stalwarts of previous Bramall Lane promotion campaigns.
One has already been fixed up after agreeing an attractive pre-contract move to Rangers but others are facing a more uncertain future in the game...
9. Joe Ironside
A member of the United side that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup final in 2011 against Manchester United, Ironside went on to forge a career away from Bramall Lane after being released. After working his way up from the National League North, Ironside returned to the Football League with Macclesfield Town and Cambridge United before his release from the latter this summer Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
10. Richard Stearman
A favourite of Blades fans, for his calm performances as much as his famous celebrations following promotion, Stearman is looking for a new club after leaving Derby County. He has already signed up to represent Wolves in a seven-a-side tournament this summer, alongside Leon Clarke, and hopes to play for as long as possible before moving into coaching Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
11. Jamal Blackman
United’s goalkeeper on their famous Bouncing Day victory at Hillsborough, Blackman has bounced from club to club in recent years and is a free agent at 29 after Exeter released him this summer, with financial restrictions understood to also have played a part Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images
12. Kieron Freeman
On the hunt for a new club closer to his home in Nottingham after Portsmouth boss John Mousinho revealed the former Blades defender was commuting each day to training on the south coast, which he believes was affecting Freeman’s mental and physical health Photo: Paul Thompson