Sheffield United youngster outlines trophy ambition after sealing Bramall Lane transfer exit
Sheffield United have allowed Mihail Polendakov to head out on loan for the 2026/27 season.
Sheffield United youngster Mihail Polendakov is targeting silverware following his loan move to Ludogorets.
The right-back, who joined the Blades in July last year, sealed a season-long loan move to the Bulgarian outfit on Wednesday. United have confirmed that Ludogorets have an option and obligation to make the transfer permanent upon certain criteria being met.
Polendakov was signed as part of United's data-led recruitment strategy last summer. He became the third player to arrive at Bramall Lane from Bulgaria in 2025, joining from Septemvri Sofia, where former COH Sports consultant James Bord holds a minority stake.
However, Polendakov failed to force his way into the plans of either Rubén Sellés or Chris Wilder, failing to make a single matchday squad last season. It means he will be hoping his return to Bulgaria, initially on loan, will offer him the opportunity to get his career back on track after a frustrating maiden season in England.
With his immediate future now sorted, the teenager is looking forward to rolling up his sleeves and getting stuck in, admitting he has the ambition to win trophies.
"It is an honour for me to be a Ludogorets player,” Polendakov told Ludogorets’ club website. “I hope to adapt quickly to the team and help the team in its fight for trophies.”
Ludogorets will have ambitions of returning to the top step of Bulgarian football's podium this coming season after their run of 14 consecutive league titles came to an end last term.
After winning their maiden Bulgarian top-flight title in 2012, Ludogorets dominated Bulgarian football before being dislodged from the top of the table by Levski Sofia last term. They finished 14 points clear of Ludogorets to secure their first league title since 2009.