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Blades sign two players on deadline day

Writer's picture: Andrew ZarbAndrew Zarb

Sheffield United have strengthened their attacking options with the loan signing of Richairo Zivkovic.

Sheffield United have completed the signings of striker Richairo Zivkovic from Changchun Yatai, and Panagiotis Retsos from Bayer Leverkusen, both on loan deals until the end of the season. In the case of the loan deal concerning Zivkovic, Sheffield United have the option of then making the deal permanent. A club statement confirming the signing of Zivkovic read: "Chris Wilder has added a pacey goalscorer to his squad, with the capture of Richairo Živković.

On transfer deadline day, the former Dutch U21s marksman arrives at S2 on a loan deal until the end of the season from Chinese club Changchun Yatai, although the Blades have an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

Boss Wilder commented: "People will recognise we do sometimes go left field with our signings, but we've worked very hard on this one, because we have had to.

"We know enough about him, we've kept tabs on Richairo for a while and tracked his progress. He is a Dutch international at ages under the senior level, he'll be unpredictable to other teams, but we know what we're getting and he wants to make the most of the opportunity.

"He will give us genuine pace at the top of the pitch. We're learning all the time this season, but pace in the Premier League is key and Richairo is someone we think can kick us on.

"Hopefully things go well enough to turn it into a permanent move in the summer - this is another signing of a young player with an eye on the future."

Živković, 23, joined FC Groningen at the age of 11 and having progressed through the ranks, he penned a three-year contract with the club in 2012 and subsequently became the club's youngest ever debutant.

In Holland's top-flight Živković netted 10 goals in 33 appearances, prompting Ajax to swoop for his services in March 2014, following in the footsteps of Luis Suarez who had previously transferred from Groningen to the biggest name in Dutch football.

He netted once in seven senior appearances in Amsterdam, but impressively scored 27 times in 40 outings for the club's reserve team, in addition to loan spells with Willem II and FC Utrecht.

In June 2017, Živković moved to the Belgian Pro League penning a long-term deal with KV Oostende and then made the switch to China, where he has since scored 12 goals in 17 matches." Whilst a club statement confirming the signing of Retsos read: "The Blades have bolstered the defensive ranks on transfer deadline day with the loan signing of an international defender from the Bundesliga.

Greece defender Panos Retsos arrives at Bramall Lane from German outfit Bayer Leverkusen on an initial deal until the end of the season.

On the capture of a fifth addition in January, boss Chris Wilder commented: "Panos is another who comes to us with a great pedigree and hopefully we can help progress his career. He is young, talented and one that we've had our eye on for quite a while.

"He's an international who has played at the top level and cost a lot of money when moving across Europe. Now he wants to prove himself in the Premier League and this initial loan spells is a perfect opportunity for Panos to have a look at us and us to have a good look at him."

Retsos, 21, was born in Johannesburg to Greek parents and started his career with Olympiacos, for whom he made his debut for in the Europa League in August 2016.

In February 2017 Retsos became the youngest player to captain the famous Greek club, in a cup tie against Atromitos, aged 18 years, five months and 30 days.

An exceptional first professional season saw Retsos catch the eye of many European clubs and in the summer of 2017, the versatile defender joined Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of nearly £16 million.

In Germany, Retsos has made 35 appearances, including six this season, scoring one goal, against RB Leipzig in April 2018.

On the international scene, Retsos opted to represent Greece, despite being eligible for South Africa, and he made his senior debut in August 2017 against Estonia in a World Cup qualifier."


Sheffield United have bolstered their defensive options with the loan signing of Panagiotis Retsos from Bayer Leverkusen.

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