John Fleck makes Sheffield United admission after agreeing new deal

John Fleck has revealed he never considered leaving Sheffield United during last month’s transfer window, after signing a new long-term contract with the Premier League club.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Fleck, who is expected to be named in the latest Scotland squad ahead of next month’s Euro 202 qualifier against Israel, was linked with United’s top-flight rivals Arsenal and West Ham during last month’s transfer window following a series of impressive displays this term.

But the midfielder, whose decision was announced ahead of United’s draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, insisted: “I think most of it (the speculation) was on Twitter or Facebook and stuff like that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m not on there myself so I didn’t know too much about it.

“Obviously you hear people speaking but I was always in the mindset that I was going to stay here.”

Describing himself as “delighted” with an agreement which ties him to Bramall Lane until the summer of 2023, Fleck added: “It was always going to get signed. It was just waiting until the right moment in time.

“From the first day the manager took over, take away the first few league games, it (the club) has always been moving in the right direction. And thankfully we’re still going that way.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite being held when Neal Maupay cancelled-out Enda Stevens’ opener, United finished Saturday’s match only four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who occupy the final Champions League berth.

John Fleck of Sheffield United in action with Ezequiel Schelotto of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield: Simon Bellis/SportimageJohn Fleck of Sheffield United in action with Ezequiel Schelotto of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
John Fleck of Sheffield United in action with Ezequiel Schelotto of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Aged 28, Fleck’s decision is significant because it effectively means he will spend the peak years of his career with Chris Wilder’s side, having arrived soon after the manager’s appointment in 2016.

The former Rangers player, who has won two promotions with United since leaving Coventry City, said: “We’ll just keep working as hard as we can and you never know where it can take you.

“I don’t think anyone, three or four years ago, would have imagined we would be where we are now but we’ll just keep going.”