Sheffield United swoop for League One duo

Sheffield United have secured the signings of former Burton loanee winger Mark Duffy and Bury defender Chris Hussey.

Having disappointingly fallen short of promotion to the Championship in 2016 despite being listed as preseason favourites, new Blades boss Chris Wilder will be hoping a flurry of new additions could surge Sheffield United to the second division.

On Tuesday night, Sheffield United’s official club website confirmed that upon release from Birmingham City, experienced winger Mark Duffy had signed a pre-contract with The Blades, and will officially make the switch to Bramall Lane on 1st July.

Duffy signs with Sheffield United coming off a sensational season long loan spell with Burton Albion, playing an integral role as The Brewers achieved promotion to the Championship for the first time in the Staffordshire team’s history. In all competitions, the tricky winger made 46 appearance whilst netting eight goals, most notably a brace that sealed a 2-1 victory for Burton over Fleetwood Town on 12th March.

Impressively, Duffy finished 5th in total League One assists in the 15/16 season, registering 11 in total across the season. The Liverpudlian was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year to commend his successful League One exploits.

However, upon the expiration of his loan deal with The Brewers, the 30-year-old returned to St.Andrews and Birmingham City, after which he was released following the expiration of his contract with the Championship side. Now, Duffy heads for the red and white Yorkshiremen, and new boss Wilder is hoping the winger can replicate his impressive 2015/16 form with The Blades.

“In our opinion, Mark was the best player in this division last season and we are delighted to have captured his services. Importantly he knows what it takes to get out of League One, which is crucial.

“Mark scored and created a good number of goals for Burton, he deservedly was named in the divisional team of the year and is a player we believe can make an impact immediately and also make the step up to the division above.”

Alongside the announcement of Duffy’s signature came the news that another player that had been plying his trade in the third division would be on his way to Bramall Lane, 27-year-old left-back Chris Hussey.

Hussey, similarly to Duffy, played a crucial part in his team’s season, making 50 appearances in all competitions whilst guiding Bury to safety and away from the drop to League Two. The defender netted his one and only goal for The Shakers last season in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Blackpool on 31st October.

Unlike Duffy however, Hussey will join Sheffield United upon an undisclosed nominal fee being paid to The Shakers, signing a deal that will keep the Londoner at the club until 2018. Speaking on Hussey’s signature, Wilder commented:

“Chris was another really consistent player in this division last season and we are delighted to have brought him here.

“He offers us balance, versatility and a good knowledge of the league; in addition we believe he is capable of making the step up to the Championship.”

With a combined 86 appearances in League One last campaign between United’s two new signings, The Blades will be hoping that the duo’s experience and third division nous can boost Sheffield United’s chances of promotion next season.

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