‘This feels like best contract I have signed’ says Sharp after Blades duo agree deals
SHEFFIELD UNITED captain Billy Sharp admits it was a “no brainer” after signing a new deal at Bramall Lane.
In a joint announcement last night, Sharp and his vice-captain Ollie Norwood have agreed contract extensions with the Premier League club.
Sheffield-born Sharp has penned a two-year deal, while midfielder Norwood has signed a three-year contract.
“This was a no brainer for me, personally,” said Sharp, who has netted 93 goals in 197 appearances since returning to United for a third spell in 2015.
“I’ve said previously about wanting to finish my career here and the talks were pretty simple.
“I want to be a part of this squad for the next two years and see what heights we can reach. The manager and the staff have pushed me to get fitter, stronger and have helped me become a better player.
“I was over the moon when the gaffer came to me and this feels like it is the best contract I’ve signed, but I’ve worked extremely hard on and off the pitch to earn the deal.
“I would have been looking over my shoulder going into my final year next season, but now I’ve got that bit of comfort which will enable me to keep working hard and contributing and I’m honestly really thankful to the gaffer who still sees me as having a role to play.”
Meanwhile, Norwood, who arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion in August 2018, added: “I’ll always been grateful to Sheffield United for giving me the chance to establish myself as a Premier League player, but we’re not settling for where we are now.
“We’ve all been written off in the past, but now we’ve made people sit up and take notice, we’ve proved people wrong for a long time now and that’s the mentality of the group.
“We’re now ready to finish the season off and who knows where it will take us.
“The lockdown came at a bad time for us as I thought we were just finding top gear,” added Norwood.
A ‘RELENTLESS’ Chris Wilder will not allow Sheffield United’s Premier League campaign to end in disappointment.
That’s the view of Blades goalkeeper Simon Moore, who insists his manager is desperate to bring success to his hometown club.
Seventh-placed United restart the Premier League campaign – suspended for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic – next Wednesday evening, away at
Aston Villa, when a win would see them climb to fifth in the table.
For their first season back in the top flight, it has been an impressive season for the Blades over the opening 28 games.
But Moore insists United remain hungry for more, as they look to bring European football back to Bramall Lane.
“We have got 10 games left, and we have got ourselves in a fantastic position,” said Moore. “The gaffer won’t let that slip, he is relentless.
“At the start of the season we were favourites to go down and now we have got a chance of going into Europe.
“Over the next six or seven weeks we will be doing everything we can to make that possible.”
United were last in action on March 7, a 1-0 home win over Norwich City, but after several weeks back in training, the Blades players are eager to get on the pitch once more – even if it is behind closed doors.
“To get to this position and get football back on has been a good effort from everyone,” said Moore.
“Since we have returned there have been a lot of protocols to follow in training. It’s all new for staff and for us, it’s never happened before, and the way the club has dealt with it has been excellent. Taking it day by day, making sure we’re all safe and healthy, and an environment that coming back to training we have all been very comfortable with.
“It’s been a really difficult time for the whole country over the last few months. So it’s nice to get back to some sort of normality.
“It’s going to be very different playing behind closed doors. It won’t be the same without the fans but you have to adapt to every situation, and the lads are ready and raring to go after lockdown.
“It will be very strange, it will be like playing a reserve game when the stadium is empty and there is no-one there.”