New Sheffield United signing Ki-Jana Hoever sent warning upon Bramall Lane arrival involving Femi Seriki | OneFootball

Wolves youngster Ki-Jana Hoever has joined Sheffield United on loan in a deal which will provide competition for Femi Seriki.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Sheffield United have confirmed their first January signing in the form of of Wolves right-back Ki-Jana Hoever, who has dropped down a level from the Premier League to compete for promotion at Bramall Lane.

The Blades defeated Leicester City 3-1 on New Year's Day, leaving them 16th in the Championship - just five points adrift of the top half.

Chris Wilder remains intent on guiding the South Yorkshire club back towards the top six, though, following last season's play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

The January transfer window hands Sheffield United a vital opportunity to further bolster their ranks, after signing former Premier League stars Jairo Riedewald and Patrick Bamford earlier in the season as free agents, but Hoever's addition could be a blow for one current Blades player in particular.

Ki-Jana Hoever primed to compete with Femi Seriki for a first-team spot at Sheffield United

Wilder's men have a golden opportunity to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup, as they host League One outfit Mansfield Town on Sunday.

However, the Bramall Lane club's priority is to ensure that their January transfer activity helps them launch a serious play-off bid for a second consecutive season.

On Thursday, Sheffield United's club website confirmed that Hoever had joined the South Yorkshire side on loan from Wolves until the end of the campaign.

With Hoever's arrival in mind, Football League World asked our Sheffield United fan pundit, Jimmy, what he made of the deal, and what it means for fellow right-back Femi Seriki, warning the new Dutch recruit that he won't be handed an easy place in the team.

Jimmy, who is of the Blades Ramble YouTube channel, said: "I think it's a great deal for us. In terms of Seriki, I think it's really strong competition.

"I don't think Hoever walks into the team by any means. Seriki has earned his place in that lineup, but at the moment, he's the only one. It's a surprise to us, I think a lot of Sheffield United fans thought we'd be bringing in a right-back that would be backup to Femi, essentially.

"We weren't expecting such an exciting name to be joining us, but it only makes the competition stronger. I think the squad is better for it.

"He certainly adds to the squad, you'd like to think there's no weakness, then, when we change at right-back, and it's an impressive first move for us in this window."

Seriki has certainly made the right-back position his own at Sheffield United in recent months, albeit with a lack of competition facing him, but especially on the attacking end of play, the 22-year-old ex-Bury FC man has been a real threat.

He came in from the start in early November against QPR and hasn't looked back, scoring a pearler of a goal against Stoke City a month later, and he's added four assists to his tally since that match too.

Ki-Jana Hoever is exactly the sort of signing Chris Wilder needs at Sheffield United

The Blades are currently just 16th in the Championship with less than half of the season remaining, but Wilder is aiming to guide his club back to the play-offs from their lowly spot in the table.

To achieve such lofty ambitions despite their unfavourable position, Sheffield United have to make statement signings in the January transfer window.

Acquiring Hoever, who previously excelled in the Championship while on loan with Stoke City, paints a clear picture that the Bramall Lane outfit mean serious business despite their poor start to the campaign under former boss Ruben Selles.

Blades supporters should not be concerned by the fact that Premier League strugglers Wolves were willing to facilitate the 23-year-old's loan exit, as Rob Edwards must make his own stamp at Molineux and assemble his own squad, while the Dutch youth international's class was epitomised when he made four senior appearances for his old club Liverpool.

His experience with Stoke has proved that Hoever is capable of being a top-level Championship full-back, and the battle for a starting spot with Seriki is likely going to be a challenging one for both players.