Sheffield United will keep goalkeeper Dan Henderson on loan for the remainder of 2019/20 after reaching an agreement with parent club Manchester United.
Henderson’s initial loan at Bramall Lane was due to expire this week, which would normally have been fixed after the end of the campaign. But the unique circumstances of this season have ensured that a special temporary extension needs to be agreed.
Henderson enjoyed a strong season with Sheffield Utd / Ben Early – AMA/Getty Images
There was no guarantee that a deal would be agreed between the clubs and there was the possibility that Henderson could be asked to return to Old Trafford.
In a statement, the Blades noted that it was only after ‘prolonged discussions’ over the past few weeks that they were able to keep the 23-year-old stopper at Sheffield for a short period of time. This agreement has also been publicly confirmed in Manchester.
Henderson was a star of the club’s promotion campaign last season and has stepped up to become one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers.
Henderson has played every game this season, apart from the one he was ineligible for against his parent club, and is strongly in contention to win the Premier League Golden Glove. He was also expected to be selected for England’s Euro 2020 squad before the tournament was postponed.
Henderson has kept 11 Premier League clean sheets / Ben Early – AMA/Getty Images
Sheffield United have also agreed temporary contract extensions with Phil Jagielka, Jack Rodwell, Kieron Freeman and Leon Clarke to cover the remainder of the season.
It has also been confirmed that Dutch forward Richiro Zicok will remain at the club until the end of the season as his loan from Changchun Yatai has been extended.
However, there is no such extension for Greek defender Panagiotis Retsos, who will immediately return to parent club Bayer Leverkusen after playing just 14 minutes for the Blades, or for Everton midfielder Mohamed Basic on loan.
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