James Hanson and Jay O'Shea with manager Chris Wilder on the day they signed for Sheffield United: Simon Bellis/SportimageJames Hanson and Jay O'Shea with manager Chris Wilder on the day they signed for Sheffield United: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
James Hanson and Jay O'Shea with manager Chris Wilder on the day they signed for Sheffield United: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

What happened to the 17 Sheffield United signings from Chris Wilder's first season?

It seems like half a lifetime ago, but the 2016/17 promotion season from League One is one that will live long in the memory of most Sheffield United fans as their side romped to the title, winning 100 points in the process.

It was a personal triumph for then-manager Chris Wilder, the boyhood Blade who inherited a club on the floor from previous boss Nigel Adkins.

United had finished the previous campaign 11th in League One and his rebuilding task was a huge one. But with clever recruitment, he assembled a squad that could not be matched in the division that season – even after falling to the bottom of it after the first few games.

Some players signed that season made only a fleeting impression on the Blades, while others have become stalwarts who later starred in the Premier League. So, we had a look at what happened to the 17 signings from Wilder’s first season in charge…

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