Sheffield United confirm third summer signing as Chris Wilder gets his wish

Sheffield United have confirmed their second fresh face of the summer, and their third signing overall, after agreeing a one-year deal with former Wolves man Matt Doherty. The 53-cap Irish international left Wolves at the end of last season.

United were in the market for cover and competition at right back and have now got it, with the deal Doherty has signed also containing an option to potentially extend it by another season.

At 34, Doherty also offers the experience and nous that boss Chris Wilder has been searching for this summer and follows Romelle Donovan and Jairo Riedewald, who re-signed fresh terms after being released, in putting pen to paper at Bramall Lane this summer.

Unitedites may get their first glimpse of Doherty in a United shirt in tomorrow’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Huddersfield, which the Blades are streaming on their SUTV platform.

Wilder said: "There's no doubting we are getting a player here who knows what it takes to be successful.

"You've got to be a seriously good player to have played as many times as he has for the likes of Wolves, Spurs and Atletico Madrid.

"Matt is a top pro on and off the pitch; he still has a real desire to achieve things in his career, and he wants to do that here.

"He'll drive those standards we are looking for and bring the best out of others in the squad. I've talked about culture carriers a lot over the years, and that's what I see in Matt."

Doherty added: "I spoke to the manager and had a walk round the stadium, obviously I've played there (Bramall Lane) many times before so I know what the atmosphere can be and the manager convinced me with his vision of the team and the club.

"I'm backing the manager to get the club back into the Premier League and I'm guessing that is the goal for everyone at the end of the day. I believe in him and what he's saying to me, and I know he'll believe in his players.

"I've got friends who have played here - Enda Stevens, John Egan, Conor Coady - they've all told me how good a place this is to play and I know that too, I know the atmosphere can be incredible."