Targeting a Free Agent
Sheffield United are in the market for two central defenders and are closing in on one of them. The club is hopeful of landing 31-year-old Adam Webster, who is a free agent after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this summer. Webster’s contract with Brighton expired at the end of June following a serious ACL injury that wiped out his 2025/26 season. The Blades are hoping to wrap up a deal to make him their fourth summer signing.
Webster’s Background
Webster was a £20m signing from Bristol City and played more than 150 times for Brighton before the injury. He has continued rehabbing to return to full fitness and spent time at Shirecliffe in the past week as the finishing touches are being put on a deal. Sheffield United initially hoped to land Harry Souttar but were told that the focus had switched back to free agents and loans. The approach for Webster is another indication of the market United are shopping in, against a backdrop of rival clubs spending serious money in a bid to earn a shot at the Premier League via a newly-extended eight-team play-off.
Manager’s Comments
After confirming that Webster’s time at Albion would end this summer, boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “During the time we had together I will never forget what you did for us, especially last season in a tough period. You stepped up as a great leader. You stepped up as a great person. You really showed our principles on the pitch and beside the pitch. You have a great positivity in your character, and that always makes a team run, makes a team work hard and makes a team successful. Unfortunately in pre-season you had a tough moment with this big injury, but I know that you will come back stronger. Stay as you are. I always said to you that good things will come to good people, and you are a great person, so great things will come to you. All the best for your future. Stay strong, and we will see each other on the pitch.”
