Jairo Riedewald is back in English football – just over 12 months after leaving Crystal Palace.
The Netherlands international moved to Royal Antwerp on a one-year contract when his deal at Selhurst Park expired in the summer of 2024, after making 96 appearances for the Eagles.
Jairo Riedewald has now signed a deal with Sheffield United until January, a development both Crystal Palace and Dean Henderson have reacted to.
Crystal Palace wish Jairo Riedewald well as Dean Henderson ‘likes’ news
After Sheffield United unveiled the Dutchman on Instagram, Crystal Palace wrote “good luck, Jairo” – also adding red and blue heart emojis (❤️💙).
Henderson – who made 86 appearances for Sheffield United from 2018 to 2020 while on loan from Manchester United – also reacted, giving the Instagram post a ‘like’ as he keeps up to date with developments at his old side.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who spent time on loan at Sheffield United last season, also liked the post.
What Sheffield United can expect from Jairo Riedewald
To many Crystal Palace fans, Riedewald is considered to be one of those “what if” players – who arguably would have enjoyed a much better time in SE25 if Roy Hodgson wasn’t so stubborn with his selections.
Max Meyer is another who never got the chance to show his best under the former England manager, while even Jean-Philippe Mateta was close to leaving as Hodgson regularly overlooked him.
Riedewald often showed his class when he did manage to get a chance, and it spoke volumes that several academy players named the 29-year-old as someone who could go out of his way to help them, suggesting he is a model professional and a great character to have around.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Furthermore, the man born in Haarlem is versatile, capable of playing in central midfield, in the centre of defence or even at left-back.
Hopefully, Riedewald can earn himself an extension on his short-term deal at Bramall Lane.