New Sheffield United signing makes a commitment to learning about the city as well as its Premier League club

But as he hopes to celebrate his 20th birthday by helping Chris Wilder’s side make a positive start to the new Premier League season, Ethan Ampadu is also planning to immerse himself in the culture of the city which, after leaving Chelsea on loan, he is scheduled to call home for the next eight or nine months.

“The ‘Greasy Chip Butty Song’? No, I don’t know the words but I’d better learn them hadn’t I,” he said, after being asked if he was familiar with United’s terrace anthem. “That’s something I’ll crack on with but, first things first, I’ve got to understand how we do things here out there on the pitch.”

Learning the complexities of United’s 3-5-2 preferred 3-5-2 formation, coupled with choreography which allows it to function fluently, is likely to dominate Ampadu’s agenda for the next few weeks. Although his ability to fill a variety of different positions is likely to lead to plenty of opportunities, the defender-cum-midfielder will be unable to showcase his full repertoire of skills until becoming totally conversant in United’s footballing language.

But it is also a sign of his commitment to the club that he also wants to learn about the community it represents. Indeed, speaking during his official unveiling ahead of tomorrow evening’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bramall Lane, Ampadu insisted that only by understanding United’s values and the qualities the supporters demand from their players can he hope to properly fulfil his potential.

“It’s definitely important to get to know Sheffield as a place too, and the people as well,” he told The Star. “That’s another thing I’m definitely planning to do. I’ve heard good things about it, even before I came here, and so when everything settles down I want to get out and about a bit - have a really good look round and see some of the landmarks. If you do that, then you get to meet people as well.”

Despite becoming a fixture in Wales’ starting eleven, Ampadu has found opportunities at domestic level harder to come by since leaving Exeter City, where he progressed through the youth system, aged only 15. Five years later, and three after moving to Stamford Bridge, he will be making only the 38th senior appearance of his career if he features against a team which finished seventh - two places above United last term. Seven of those came during a loan spell with RB Leipzig which, even though he played only 79 minutes of Bundesliga football, saw him make three Champions League outings. After facing Benfica and then replacing Timo Werner during Leipzig’s draw at Lyon, he started the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in north London.

“I’m one for looking to the future,” Ampadu said. “The next match is the most important match. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside and learn from some brilliant professionals at Chelsea and in Germany. But now it’s time for me to start playing regularly.”

An important message: Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details at https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports.

Your support is much appreciated.

Chris Holt, Football Editor