Former Sheffield United defender Richard Stearman says he'll 'always be a Blade'

Stearman left the club by mutual consent on Friday to sign an 18-month contract with Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town.

The 32-year-old, who joined the Bramall Lane outfit from Wolves in July 2017, was a popular member of Chris Wilder’s squad but found first-team opportunities limited this season.

Now he has taken to Twitter to send a farewell message to United staff and supporters – who will forever remember his celebrations when the Blades secured promotion to the Premier League last May.

He wrote: “Now the dust has settled, what an amazing journey it has been Blades.

“An incredible dressing room, a manager/staff I have the utmost respect for and a club/fans that I was honoured and privileged to represent.

“Made memories that will live with me forever! Always a Blade…Stears.”

His tweet attracted nearly 500 replies as well as good luck messages from United strikers Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie.

@Blades_Mad posted: “Once a Blade, always a Blade. You made countless contributions. You will always be welcome back to the Lane with open arms. Thanks for all you did in your time here, hasten I say off the pitch as much as on it. All very best, Stears!”

And @KW04 wrote: “Top professional and thank you for being part of the incredible journey with us. My friend who's a Town fan asked what you was like, I told him how much you're loved at the Lane and they're getting a top professional. Good luck.”