Sheffield United sign Kitching on loan from Coventry

Sheffield United have completed the signing of defender Liam Kitching from Coventry City on a season-long loan deal.

The 26-year-old made 38 appearances as Coventry won the Championship title last season and will spend this term at Bramall Lane under Chris Wilder.

Kitching, who started his career at Leeds, has only featured once this season for Frank Lampard's side in their EFL Cup win over Plymouth.

"I'm delighted to be here. Obviously, it was quite a quick turnaround, but I can't wait to get going and meet the lads and meet the fans," he told the club's website, external.

"I'm hungry to play games consistently and hopefully we can take Sheffield United to where it belongs. I've always admired the gaffer's teams, always tough to play against, hard-working and I think that describes me as a player as well. I'll always give my 110% and always work hard for the team, so I'm excited."

Wilder was determined to bring in a defender ahead of the window closing and insists Kitching adds real quality to his squad.

"I've commented before on the moving parts of the transfer window, and this is an example of the benefits of sometimes holding out, because this option came up very late in the window," he said.

"In terms of defenders at this level, we're getting someone who has been in the top bracket over recent seasons. The numbers tell the story, playing regularly last season in a Coventry side who dominated the division.

"We're getting another player who knows how to succeed at this level. He's a Yorkshire lad, who lives close by, so he knows what we're about and what the fans demand here, and he's got all the attributes needed to succeed."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ivo Grbic has left Bramall Lane to join Bulgarian club Ludogorets for an undisclosed fee.

The Croatian goalkeeper played 11 games for the club but has not featured since August 2024, spending much of the last two seasons on loan in Turkey.