Sheffield United confirm club legend among FIVE players shortlisted before Premier League season ends

SHEFFIELD UNITED have released five players, including club legend Chris Basham.

The Blades have confirmed their retained list ahead of Sunday’s final day clash with Tottenham.

Basham, 35, will leave Bramall Lane after 10 years with the Blades.

The veteran defender has not played since suffering a horrific broken leg last October.

Also leaving Sheffield United are last year’s promotion heroes Oliver Norwood, George Baldock, Wes Foderingham and Max Lowe.

The Blades paid tribute to their departed quintet when they confirmed the news on their official website.

They wrote in a club statement: “The Blades can confirm that Chris Basham, George Baldock, Oliver Norwood, Wes Foderingham and Max Lowe will leave the club when their contracts expire this summer.

“The players mentioned above will each embark on new chapters in their careers after this campaign, having helped the Blades to success during their spells at Bramall Lane.

“They share a total of nine promotions in their Blades careers and the club sees fit to release this news before the end of the campaign to allow them to receive appreciation from Unitedites for their contributions.

“With Tottenham Hotspur’s visit on Sunday being United’s final game of the campaign, special thanks will be paid to the five, with further tributes across the club’s digital platforms.

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“The five players will leave with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution they have made to Sheffield United Football Club.

“There will be further news regarding the future of the other current team members in due course.”

Basham joined Sheffield United from Bolton in 2014 and has played 394 times for the Blades.

During his time at Bramall Lane, he won the League One title as well as winning two promotions to the Championship.

He played eight times in the Premier League this term before breaking his leg against Fulham on 7 October.

Baldock, 31, has joined Basham in defense for several seasons after signing for Sheffield United in 2017.

The Greece international has appeared 219 times for the Blades, including 13 times in the Prem this term.

Norwood, 33, originally arrived at Bramall Lane on loan from Brighton in 2018.

He made the move permanent 12 months later, becoming a key player in midfield over the course of 252 appearances.

Foderingham, 33, arrived from Rangers in 2020 and has been the Blades’ first-choice goalkeeper for much of this season.

The former England youth international helped the Blades to promotion last term and played 111 times in total for the club.

Lowe, 27, joined from Derby in September 2020.

The full-back has played 52 times in total for Sheffield United, being limited to just three Premier League starts this season.

Blades bosses are already preparing for life back in the Championship next season.

Chris Wilder’s side are already guaranteed to finish bottom of the Prem after picking up just 16 points from 37 games.