Oli McBurnie & Rhian Brewster react to big Andre Brooks at Sheffield United | OneFootball

Andre Brooks has sealed a lucrative switch to Norwich City from Sheffield United and has since sent a message to Blades supporters

Sheffield United are in for a huge summer window, and having already seen ten players leave the club upon the end of their contracts and loans, they have since confirmed their eleventh for a substantial fee.

Chris Wilder is aiming to stamp his authority on the Sheffield United squad again this summer, having not had the opportunity to do so last time around after his previous dismissal.

The wheels are beginning to turn at Bramall Lane after a period of quiet, as the transfer window begins to kick into gear.

The likes of Ben Mee, Danny Ings, Jairo Riedewald, and Tom Davies have seen their contracts in South Yorkshire expire and not been renewed, whilst each of Djibril Soumare, Leo Hjelde, Ki-Jana Hoever, Tyler Bindon, Kalvin Phillips, and Chiedozie Ogbene have left the club following the end of their loan spells.

That has already removed a huge chunk of wages from the monthly books, but as Wilder aims to fund a large-scale rebuild this summer, Sheffield United have allowed Andre Brooks to join Norwich City for an initial fee believed to be £8 million, potentially rising to £9 million if the Canaries secure promotion, as the winger has since sent an emotional message to Blades supporters.

Andre Brooks sends emotional message to Sheffield United supporters

Brooks, 22, has spent his entire youth and professional career with Sheffield United, having come through the ranks at Bramall Lane to progress to a regular first-team player for the club.

Born in Sheffield, Brooks now bids farewell to the club and city he has called home all of his life, as the Jamaican international prepares to link up with Philippe Clement at Norwich.

He'd make his debut for the club in November 2022 and has gone on to rack up 96 appearances for his boyhood club across all competitions, scoring ten and assisting.

The winger was a bright spark in an otherwise glum season for the Blades, and now, he has sent a heartfelt message to the club and its supporters via Instagram.

In the post, Brooks goes over the first time he joined the club as an eight-year-old, recollecting memories over the years, expressing his pride in representing Sheffield United, his gratitude to the Blades and their supporters, and signing off by telling the fans that he will always be watching from afar.

In the replies, former Blades teammates have sent their support to Brooks, including the likes of Oli McBurnie, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Rhian Brewster, and Daniel Jebbison.

McBurnie said: "Good luck little bro❤️."

Rak-Sakyi said: "My boy ❤️❤️."

Brewster said: "Show dem my boy❤️."

Jebbison said: "👏❤️."

Indeed, as Brooks prepares to embark on his next journey, he hasn't left under a dark cloud and made sure to thank the club for their role in his development over the years, and the fans for their support.

The Jamaican will face his former club on September 5 at the earliest when Norwich travel to Bramall Lane, and should, by all accounts, get a positive reception upon his return.

Wilder will be hoping to reinvest the money they have received for Brooks wisely; otherwise, the backlash the club will receive from the Sheffield United supporters will be fierce.

How Sheffield United supporters have reacted to Andre Brooks' Norwich City switch

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It would be fair to suggest that selling one of your brightest sparks from last season, who has also come through the academy, isn't an especially popular decision to make.

Blades fans have taken to social media to share their reactions to the recent news of Brooks' departure, and it would be fair to suggest that the decision has gone down like a lead balloon with the majority.

Considering the summer transfer window only opened just last week, it may be a bit early to 'sack the season off', so to speak, but it's clear that the general consensus surrounding Brooks' departure is not an especially popular one.

Some Sheffield United supporters, like this one, are trying their best to view Brooks' departure as a positive rather than a negative, as £8 million of pure profit is not something to be sniffed at, especially if it is invested wisely.

However, this fan's opinion largely reflects the general feeling of the Blades fanbase at the moment, with many confused and disappointed by the decision.