Sheffield United had been tracking Kieran Dowell for some time before signing him from Everton in January.
Dowell scored his first goal for the Blades at the weekend, heading in the winner in a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Yet if manager Chris Wilder had his way the midfielder would have been at Bramall Lane for the entire season.
“Kieran scored nine for Nottingham Forest last season, including against us, and that caught our attention,” Wilder told the Telegraph.
“We tried to get him in the summer, then got him in January. We’re delighted – he has been outstanding for us.”
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The magic of Dowell
Wilder also said that the 21-year-old can provide that “little bit of magic” for United in his role behind the two strikers.
Dowell has now made nine appearances for the Blades, although the win at West Brom was only his fifth start.
Last season he greatly impressed in the Championship while on loan at Nottingham Forest, scoring 10 times in 43 games.
Wilder will now be hoping the England Under-21 international can do the same for his side as they continue their promotion push.
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
With 12 matches left to play United sit in second and the automatic promotion places, only above third-placed Leeds United on goal difference.
Wilder will need to call upon his entire squad in the final run in and having Dowell and Mark Duffy as options in the number ten position could prove crucial.
Last year – the Blades’ first back in the second tier after promotion from League One – their initial playoff push fell away and they eventually finished 10th.
This time around their squad has much more depth. The likes of Dowell add that little bit of quality, as the youngster is highly rated at his parent club and is tipped to have a career at a higher level.
