Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has joined Sheffield United on a one-year contract after completing his move to the Championship club as a free agent.
The 34-year-old forward arrives at Bramall Lane following the expiry of his Leicester City contract at the end of last season.
His arrival completes Sheffield United’s 25-man squad, with Ayew immediately joining Chris Wilder’s group as the club prepare for the new season.
Wilder moved quickly to bring the experienced Ghana international to the club and said he was pleased to have secured a player who can provide additional options in attack.
“I spoke last week about being close to getting someone in from the free agent market, and things did move quite quickly, so I am really pleased to have Jordan with us,” Wilder said.
Ayew’s most recent competitive football came at the World Cup, where he featured in each of Ghana’s four matches as the Black Stars progressed to the knockout stage.
He started all four games, including Ghana’s goalless draw with England.
Wilder believes Ayew’s experience at international and club level will be valuable to Sheffield United. The manager highlighted the forward’s recent role as Ghana captain as evidence of his pedigree and leadership.
“We’re talking about someone here with bags of experience from right at the top level of the game. Only a few months ago he was captaining Ghana in the World Cup, so he’s someone with real pedigree.”
The Sheffield United manager also pointed to Ayew’s familiarity with the Championship and his versatility as important factors behind the decision to sign him.
“He did well at this level last season in difficult circumstances and has played all across the front positions during his career, which gives us plenty of options,” he added.
Ayew said the move came together rapidly after he was contacted by Wilder while he was in Ghana.
The forward said he was impressed by the effort made by the manager and the club to complete the transfer and indicated that he had no hesitation about accepting the opportunity.
“I’m really, really pleased to be here. The manager and the club made a great effort to get me here as quick as possible,” Ayew said.
He added: “It happened really, really quick because I was in Ghana and the manager called me last week. I didn’t think twice, I just took the opportunity.”
Ayew arrives at Sheffield United with extensive experience in English and European football, having made more than 500 competitive appearances during his career.
His previous clubs include French sides Marseille, Sochaux and Lorient, as well as Aston Villa, Swansea City, Crystal Palace and Leicester City in England.
His move to Sheffield United represents another stage in a long career that has seen him play in several different attacking positions and compete at the highest level of international football with Ghana.
The forward now links up with Wilder’s squad as Sheffield United seek to strengthen their attacking options for the season.
For Ayew, the move provides the opportunity to continue his English football career with a new club after leaving Leicester City, while Sheffield United gain an experienced international forward who has already demonstrated his ability to play at Championship level.
With the deal completed and the club’s 25-man squad now filled, Ayew can begin work with his new team-mates as Sheffield United prepare for their campaign.
