9 players leave Sheffield United in 2026 - What's happened to them? | OneFootball

The players who have all made an exit from Bramall Lane this year, and where they are now

Sheffield United were unable to compete for promotion to the Premier League this season.

The Blades endured a difficult year after missing out on a place in the top flight in 2025 by losing the play-off final.

Chris Wilder’s side finished 13th in the Championship, 13 points adrift of the top six, meaning they will have a lot of work this summer to bridge that gap to the top teams.

The Yorkshire outfit also saw a lot of players leave the club in 2026, with Wilder looking to build a more competitive squad.

Here we take a look at everyone who has departed Bramall Lane so far this year and where they are now…

Tom Davies

Tom Davies’ contract with Sheffield United expired at the end of this season, and the club confirmed that they have released him.

The midfielder made only 10 appearances in the Championship in 2025/26, and he has yet to confirm the next step in his career.

He posted a farewell message to the club on Instagram following confirmation of his exit in April.

Ben Mee

Ben Mee joined Sheffield United just last summer, but he has already left the club after only one year.

The centre-back has confirmed his retirement from the game, and will be moving onto the next chapter in his life.

Jairo Riedewald

Jairo Riedewald made the switch to Sheffield United as a free agent in late 2025, and was an important part of Wilder’s plans.

That is why it came as a shock to many when it was confirmed that the midfielder was leaving the club at the end of the campaign, with the Blades opting not to renew his terms.

Riedewald is now a free agent, and will be looking to secure a move to a new team, with pre-season still a number of weeks away.

Danny Ings

Danny Ings is another player that only joined Sheffield United in the last 12 months, but the forward has already had his exit confirmed.

The striker scored twice from 23 league appearances, and is now a free agent.

The 33-year-old has yet to confirm his next club, and will be hoping to strike a deal with a team ahead of pre-season getting underway in a few weeks.

Kalvin Phillips

Kalvin Phillips spent the second half of the Championship season on loan with Sheffield United from Manchester City before returning to the Etihad at the end of the term.

The midfielder is reportedly being targeted for a return by the Blades this summer as he has fallen well down the pecking order of the Premier League side.

But it remains to be seen whether a deal can be found, with the former Leeds United star preparing for pre-season under a new coach at the Manchester outfit.

Ki-Jana Hoever

Ki-Jana Hoever joined on loan from Wolves in the January transfer market, but his time with the Blades came to an end with the conclusion of the campaign.

The defender will return to Molineux, where Rob Edwards could reintegrate him back into the side as they prepare for life in the Championship after coming 20th in the Premier League table.

Leo Hjelde

Leo Hjelde made the temporary switch to Sunderland in the winter market, with the defender arriving on loan for the second half of the season.

He made eight appearances in the Championship after struggling for game time under Régis Le Bris.

The 22-year-old has returned to the Stadium of Light, with no decision yet made on his future for next season.

Ben Godfrey

Ben Godfrey’s loan deal with Sheffield United expired in January, returning to Atalanta before going back out on loan with Danish giants Brondby.

The defender made 11 appearances in the Superliga to help the team come fourth in the table, with the temporary deal expiring with the end of the campaign.

Louie Barry

Louie Barry’s loan deal with Sheffield United expired in January as well, and he made the move back to Stockport County from Aston Villa for the remainder of the campaign.

This was his third stint with the club, as they missed out on promotion with a play-off final defeat to Bolton Wanderers.