Sheffield United confirm deal for influential midfielder Jairo Riedewald
Jaïro Riedewald has agreed a new deal with Sheffield United with his original short-term contract set to run out next month
Sheffield United have been boosted by the agreement of a new contract of experienced midfielder Jairo Riedewald.
The 29-year-old had joined the Blades on a short-term contract in October with Chris Wilder recognising that United were light in the middle of the park upon his return as manager.
The club confirmed on Monday that a new deal has been struck with the former Crystal Palace player to remain until the end of the season, with an option of a further year.
With transfer business ready to kick off when the window opens again in January, the timing of this agreement is perfect so as to allow the club’s recruitment team to move onto other areas that need strengthened with United set to busy on that front, with both incomings and outgoings expected.
"I'm delighted to get this one done ahead of a busy period in the season,” Wilder said. “Everyone has seen the effect Jairo has had on the team since joining us and I firmly believe there's more to come from him as he continues to get up to speed.
"He has been a really important figure for us and he's also an outstanding professional who gets what we're trying to achieve here, and we're all looking forward to working with him more in the second half of the campaign."
The player himself admitted his delight at staying on, adding: "As soon as I walked into this club, I knew I wanted to stay here for a whole season, but it made sense to do a three-month deal to start with to see how things went. During that time my whole mindset was on trying to stay as long as possible here, so I am really pleased to have signed this deal and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."