Gary Madine claims Billy Sharp helped seal his loan move to Sheffield United.
The Blades have signed Madine from Cardiff City on a six-month loan deal. The transfer is considered controversial by many.
That is because Madine has previous criminal convictions and is also a former Sheffield Wednesday player. Not only that, but back in 2017 the striker was filmed insulting Blades captain Sharp.
The video was shot by a Wednesday supporter in a bar back when Madine was playing for Bolton Wanderers. It was then published online ahead of United hosting Bolton in League One and went viral.
It is therefore surprising that Madine is now Sharp’s teammate. However, the Cardiff loanee says his new skipper actually helped smooth the deal.
“I know a few lads already and I think Billy put a good word in about me to the gaffer, and said I’d be a good bit of recruitment,” the 28-year-old told the Sheffield Star.
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“So I’m grateful for that and I’m hoping I can come and repay that faith, and score some goals.”
Is Madine a good signing?
Madine has been given an escape route out of Cardiff, where he has managed just 32 minutes of Premier League football this season.
In fact the forward has started only four games – and scored no goals – since joining the Bluebirds from Bolton in January 2018.
However, prior to that Madine had been in fine form for the Trotters in the Championship. He netted 10 times in 28 matches in the first half of 2017/18.
Blades manager Chris Wilder has praised the physicality of Madine and how that will bring a different element to his tactics. Wilder had made signing a new number nine during this transfer window a priority.
It now remains to be seen how Madine will be greeted by the Bramall Lane faithful. And, if he can strike up a partnership with Sharp.