Sheffield United have agreed a deal to sign free agent Jairo Riedewald as Chris Wilder seeks immediate reinforcements to jolt a grim start to the Championship campaign.
The versatile Dutch international, released by Royal Antwerp in the summer after a long spell with Crystal Palace, has been training in England and is now poised to bolster a squad short on confidence and depth.
Sheffield United have agreed a deal with Jairo Riedewald to join them as a free agent. The ex-#CPFC player adds options for Chris Wilder at DMC or CB. To be confirmed if 29yo will be registered for weekend.
🔴⚪#sufc 🇳🇱
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) October 17, 2025
What Happened and Why It Matters
United sit bottom after 9 matches, with 1 win and 8 defeats, and Wilder has turned to the free-agent market to add experience and flexibility without a fee. Riedewald, 29, covers defensive midfield, centre-back and left-back, offering tactical options in and out of possession.
That adaptability is central to Wilder’s preference for shape-shifting systems and gives cover in multiple positions where injuries and form have bitten.
The move progressed quickly this week following reports that the Blades had invited the former Ajax and Palace man to train with the group. With the transfer window closed, free agents remain a key route to add quality, and Riedewald fits the brief: top-flight know-how, European experience and a game profile suited to United’s need for control in midfield and calmness when building from the back.
Never forget… 🥰
☓ Jairo Riedewald
☓ @Eredivisie debut
☓ 𝟮 goals (winner included)#OTD | 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟯 pic.twitter.com/yyY9qAGdjk— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) December 22, 2020
Registration is the final hurdle. For weekend eligibility, new signings must be fully registered by 12:00 BST on the last working day before the match. If the paperwork lands in time, Wilder could have a new option available against Watford on Saturday; if not, the Dutchman would likely be pencilled in from the following fixture.
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
From a squad-building standpoint, this is a pragmatic, low-risk addition. Riedewald’s Palace years showed spells of strong form, including Player of the Month awards and minutes in several roles.
At Antwerp he added further game time and exposure to differing styles, which should ease the adaptation curve. The immediate question is match sharpness: he has trained but not played competitively since the international break window, so minutes management will be key.
Tactically, Wilder gains three potential benefits:
- Screen and circulate: Used as a holding midfielder, Riedewald can help United protect the back line while improving first-phase passing under pressure.
- Left-side balance: As a left-back or left-sided centre-back, he offers a natural angle to progress play down that flank and support overlaps.
- In-game flexibility: His multi-role skillset allows Wilder to switch between back-3 and back-4 structures without burning extra substitutions.
Supporters will want tangible impact quickly, but expectations should be tempered by fitness and integration timelines. Even so, adding a seasoned, position-flexible player for nothing aligns with the club’s current constraints and the urgent need for stability.
If registered by the midday cut-off, he could feature in some capacity this weekend; if not, his debut should follow shortly after, adding a calm left-footed presence to a side desperate for control and points.
