Former Sheffield United loanee 'closing in' on latest transfer after exit of former Sheffield Wednesday boss
Ben Godfrey spent the first half of last season at Sheffield United, making just four appearances before returning to Italy.
Rangers are ‘closing in’ on the signing of former Sheffield United loanee Ben Godfrey, according to a report by The Rangers Review.
It is claimed the versatile defender, who joined United on loan from Italian club Atalanta last August, has passed his medical and will join the Scottish outfit on loan with an option to buy.
Following the exit of former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl earlier this month, Rangers have entered a new era under ex-Hearts boss Derek McInnes, who was installed as Röhl’s successor just over a week ago.
After making right-back Ross McCrorie their second signing of the summer on Thursday, Godfrey is now in the frame to become their latest addition. Despite joining the Blades on a season-long loan deal last summer, his time at Bramall Lane was cut short when United terminated his loan in December.
The 28-year-old, who was drafted in by former Blades boss Rubén Sellés barely featured during his time at Bramall Lane, making a paltry four appearances. Three of those were earned under Sellés, meaning his only outing under current boss Chris Wilder was when he started the boyhood Blade’s first game back in charge - a 1-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic last September.
That marked the only occasion Godfrey was included in the matchday squad by Wilder, meaning United cut the former Norwich City and Everton man’s spell in South Yorkshire short, sending him back to Italy before Christmas.
Opening up on his struggles at Bramall Lane, Godfrey, speaking to Bild earlier this year, said: “I was a bit off course when it came to playing time. It was a period when some personal things were perhaps a bit different for me, and that happens sometimes in life.
“And then I think that the players in my position were guaranteed playing time for the rest of the season. We had an open and honest conversation, and all due respect to Sheffield United for that. They made it clear that I would no longer be part of their plans for the rest of the season.
“It was obviously a difficult period in my career. But also, on a wider level. It’s not always just about football. You never know what problems other people are going through.
“There will always be ups and downs. Maybe the last few years, or 2025, have been a period where I had to reflect, learn or where circumstances did not work optimally for me.”
After returning to Atalanta, Godfrey left the Serie A club on loan again in January, joining Danish club Bröndby IF until the end of the season. He made 12 appearances, scoring one goal.