Sheffield United set for six figure windfall as former player moves on

Sheffield United will receive a six figure windfall after their former player Ben Whiteman left Doncaster Rovers to join Preston North End.
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The Championship club are understood to have paid around £1.5m to sign the midfielder, who made 12 appearances for United after progressing through the Premier League club’s youth system.

With officials at Bramall Lane inserting a sell-on clause into the deal which took Whiteman to the Keepmoat Stadium three years ago, they are set to receive an estimated £300,000 out of the money Rovers have banked after reluctantly sanctioning his departure.

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“There weren’t many sides that I would have left Doncaster for but, after speaking to the manager here, it was really a no-brainer,” Whiteman told North End’s website after being unveiled at Deepdale. “As soon as I’d finished speaking to him, my mind was made up. He spoke very well and very highly of the football club. I can’t wait to get started.”

Ben Whiteman, previously of Doncaster Rovers, prepares to lead his former team out during the Sky Bet League One match between Plymouth Argyle and Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on October 27, 2020 in Plymouth, England: Dan Mullan/Getty ImagesBen Whiteman, previously of Doncaster Rovers, prepares to lead his former team out during the Sky Bet League One match between Plymouth Argyle and Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on October 27, 2020 in Plymouth, England: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Ben Whiteman, previously of Doncaster Rovers, prepares to lead his former team out during the Sky Bet League One match between Plymouth Argyle and Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on October 27, 2020 in Plymouth, England: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Born in Rochdale, Whiteman moved to South Yorkshire on a scholarship after being released as a teenager by Manchester United. He made his senior debut under Chris Wilder’s predecessor Nigel Clough, coming on as a substitute during an FA Cup win over Crewe Alexandra as United progressed to the semi-finals of that season’s competition.

Clough’s successor Nigel Adkins also utilised Whiteman, but with Wilder overhauling the squad he inherited from the former Southampton chief after taking charge in 2016, he completed loan spells with Mansfield Town and Rovers, before leaving United on a permanent basis.

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