Former Leeds United and England international striker Patrick Bamford looks set to join Sheffield United in what could be an awkward encounter.
The 32-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Premier League-bound Leeds United over the summer.
An Awkward Encounter: Bamfords Road To The Blades
Patrick Bamford began his professional career at Nottingham Forest, debuting as a substitute in the Championship in 2011. He made 2 appearances before joining Chelsea for £1.5 million in January 2012.
At Chelsea, first-team opportunities were limited, leading to multiple loan spells. He scored 4 goals in 6 games for Milton Keynes Dons in 2013, followed by 14 in 23 during the 2013 to 2014 season. A loan to Derby County in 2014 produced 8 goals in 21 appearances, earning him the Championship Young Player of the Month award.
His most productive loan came at Middlesbrough in 2014 to 2015, where he netted 17 goals in 38 league games and was named the club’s Player of the Year. Short, unsuccessful spells followed at Crystal Palace, Norwich City, and Burnley. Middlesbrough signed him permanently in January 2017 for £5.5 million.
In July 2018, Leeds United acquired him for up to £10 million. Under Marcelo Bielsa, he scored 10 goals in 24 games from 2018 to 2019 despite injury. In 2019 to 2020, 16 goals in 45 appearances helped secure the Championship title. His 2020 to 2021 Premier League season yielded 17 goals in 38 matches, placing him joint 4th in the Golden Boot race.
Injuries disrupted subsequent years, with an ankle fracture in 2021, hip issues, foot fractures, and plantar fascia damage limited him to 9 games in 2021 to 2022. He managed 4 goals in 28 appearances in 2022 to 2023 and 8 in 47 in 2023 to 2024. In 2024 to 2025, knee and hamstring problems restricted him to 17 substitute roles with 0 goals.
Leeds released him by mutual consent in August after 205 appearances and 60 goals. Bamford earned 1 England cap in 2021.
Now 32, his career totals exceed 300 club appearances and 130 goals across all competitions.
Patrick Bamford is in talks to sign for Sheffield United.
[@mcgrathmike]#twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/7craWZzUpK
— The Bladesman (@The_Bladesman) November 12, 2025
Patrick Bamford and Chris Wilder share an interesting relationship so far. In 2019, Wilder called Bamford a “muppet” after Leeds taunted him after a win. In April, Bamford led chants in Elland Road after chants erupted of “Wilder is a w****r” post-promotion. Wilder accepted Bamford’s apology after the event, but a Sheffield United reunion risks lingering needle and dressing-room tension.
How Might Bamford Suit The Blades
Sheffield United eye Patrick Bamford as a solution to their Championship collapse so far this season. Bottom after 16 games with 4 wins, 0 draws, and 12 losses, the Blades have scored a league-low 11 goals while leaking 26. Tyrese Campbell and Callum O’Hare share top scorer honours at 4 each. Chris Wilder, back after Ruben Sellés‘s dismissal, will be demanding a striker to anchor his 3 to 5 to 2 and convert chances by the so far blunt Gustavo Hamer.
At 32, Bamford fits the mould. His 6-foot-3 frame excels as a target man, holding play and finishing ruthlessly, proven by 17 Premier League goals in 2021 and 16 in the 2019 to 2020 Championship title push. Recent seasons have presented him with 8 goals in 47 despite injuries, yet his movement remains elite.
The Blades’ blunt attack hinges on the constantly changing wing-backs with Harrison Burrows and Jamie Shackleton for width, or the recent changes of Sam McCallum and Femi Seriki. Bamford thrives on such service, dropping deep to link or ghosting into channels. His promotion pedigree with Leeds and Middlesbrough offers know-how in survival scraps as the Blades look to navigate themselves out of trouble.
