Official: Atalanta send Godfrey to Sheffield United | OneFootball

Defender Ben Godfrey has officially joined EFL Championship side Sheffield United on a season-long loan deal from Atalanta, the clubs have confirmed on Friday.

Official: Godfrey joins Sheffield United from Atalanta

The Englishman has returned to his homeland on a straight, season-long loan deal until the end of the 2025-26 campaign. The deal does not include an option or obligation to buy.

“I’m a Yorkshire lad so brilliant to be back home and I’m looking forward to getting started,” Godfrey said in a statement on the Sheffield United website.

Ben Godfrey of Atalanta acknowledges the fans after the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta and Cesena at Gewiss Stadium on December 18, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“It was a good experience moving out to Italy. There were things I learnt about football, lifestyle and language but there’s nothing like being in your home country and especially for the family being close to home, so really looking forward to it.”

The move comes just over a year after Godfrey joined La Dea from Premier League side Everton for a reported fee of €10m plus bonuses.

The former Norwich City defender struggled to make a significant impact under Gian Piero Gasperini last term, and appeared for just 22 minutes in Serie A, 26 minutes in the Coppa Italia and 17 minutes in the Champions League.

That led to his being loaned out to Ipswich Town for the second half of the season. Godfrey could go up against the Tractor Boys when they face Sheffield United in the Championship in mid-September.