Ben Godfrey bolsters Sheffield United's defence with loan move from Atalanta

The 27-year-old versatile defender, who can operate as a centre-back or full-back, aims to reignite his career in the Championship after limited game time in Italy.

The Blades have moved swiftly to address their defensive vulnerabilities following the departure of key centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic to Feyenoord for a reported 15.6 million pounds. Godfrey's arrival offers a timely boost as they look to recover from a tough start to the 2025-26 Championship campaign, having lost their opening two matches.

Manager Ruben Selles has been vocal about the need for reinforcements, stating earlier this month, "Our recruitment hasn't been good enough, and we need to strengthen at centre-half to compete for promotion."

Godfrey, a York native, expressed his excitement about returning to his roots. "I'm a Yorkshire lad, so it's brilliant to be back home," he said on the Sheffield United website. "I'm looking forward to getting started and helping the team push for success."

Reflecting on his time in Italy, he added, "It was a great experience moving to Atalanta. I learned a lot about football, lifestyle, and language, but there's nothing like playing in your home country with family close by."

The defender's move to Atalanta from Everton in June 2024 for a reported 10 million pounds proved challenging, with only five appearances across all competitions, including just 22 minutes in Serie A. A brief loan stint at Ipswich Town in the second half of the 2024-25 season saw him make five appearances, but he struggled to secure regular minutes.

Now, Godfrey has a chance to rediscover his form with the Blades, who are desperate to return to the Premier League after narrowly missing promotion last season.

Sheffield United's official X account announced the signing with enthusiasm: "United have increased their defensive options further with the season-long addition of experienced defender, Ben Godfrey. "

With a potential debut against Millwall this weekend, Godfrey's Premier League pedigree, 93 appearances for Everton and two England caps in 2021, makes him a valuable addition. His versatility and Championship know-how from his time at Norwich, where he helped secure promotion in 2018-19, could prove pivotal for the Blades' promotion push.

However, the loan deal does not include an option to buy, meaning Sheffield United will need to maximize Godfrey's impact this season. As they prepare to face rivals like Ipswich Town in mid-September, the Blades hope their new defensive linchpin can help turn their season around and propel them back to the top flight.