Bristol City and Gerhard Struber travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United for their first game of the Championship season this weekendRuben Selles has replaced Chris Wilder as Sheffield United boss(Image: Photo by Tony King/Getty Images)

Sheffield United have confirmed that they have accepted a “significant bid” for defender Anel Ahmedhodžić, just a matter of days before Bristol City travel to Bramall Lane to face the Blades in their first game of the Championship season.

Gerhard Struber’s Robins make the trip to the Steel City on Saturday afternoon as they look to kick off the new season, and the Austrian’s tenure, with a win against last season’s play-off finalists. United were eventually beaten by Sunderland in the Wembley final, having got the better of the Reds in the semi-final.

Ahmedhodžić played the full 90 minutes in both legs of the Blades’ record-breaking 6-0 aggregate win over City, but was withdrawn late on in the final, moments before Tommy Watson struck Sunderland’s winner. In total, the former Bosnian international made 38 appearances for United in the Championship last season, scoring three goals from defence as they finished third.

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However, the 26-year-old will not be part of Ruben Selles’ backline this weekend with United confirming he has left Bramell Lane with immedaite effect to join Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

In an official statement, Sheffield United said: “The Blades have accepted a significant bid for the transfer of defender Anel Ahmedhodžić. “The former Bosnian international leaves with immediate effect to join Dutch Eredivisie club, Feyenoord.

“Ahmedhodžić, 26, signed for the Blades in the summer of 2022 and has made a total of 114 appearances, scoring 12 goals. “His three seasons were eventful, he featured in the promotion-winning team in the 2022/23 campaign, the Premier League relegation, and then, last season, the near miss at the play-off final.

“Popular with Blades fans, the club wishes him well in the next chapter of his career.”

As has been the case at Ashton Gate over the off-season, this summer has seen plenty of change at Bramall Lane. Following their play-off final loss, the Blades made the decision to part ways with Wilder, and former Hull City and Reading boss Ruben Selles was named as his successor.

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Loanees Alfie Gilchrist, Ben Brereton Diaz, Harry Souttar, Jesurun Rak-Sayki, Hamza Choudhury, Harry Clarke, and Rob Holding have all returned to their parent clubs, while both Vini Souza and Rhian Brewster have joined Ahmedhodžić in completing permanent moves away from the Steel City.

Although the Blades haven’t broken the bank with their incoming business so far, they have added five new faces to their ranks. Djibril Soumare has joined on loan, with an obligation to buy, from Braga, Ehje Ukaki and Mihail Polendakov have arrived from Bulgaria, while Louie Barry and Tyler Bindon have joined temporarily from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest respectively.

On the whole, City’s squad for Saturday’s clash is unlikely to be too different from that which started the play-off clash back in May, despite the change in head coach. The Robins have added Adam Randell, Joe Lumley, Emil Riis, and Radek Vitek to their ranks so far, with the most high-profile departure being Nahki Wells, who has joined Luton Town after his contract in BS3 expired.

With a little under a month of the transfer window still to come, further exits cannot be ruled out. So far, however, the Robins have managed to keep the core of last season’s successful group together.

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