Jordan Ayew is set to continue his career in the Championship after reaching a verbal agreement with Sheffield United, according to Footy-Africa. The 34-year-old Ghana captain has been a free agent since leaving Leicester and is now waiting for the English club to create room in its registered squad before the move can be formally completed.
Ayew chose Sheffield United after rejecting approaches from the Cypriot league last week. Africafoot had previously reported exclusively on those offers. The forward’s preference was to remain in a more demanding competition, and the opportunity to stay in the Championship has now provided him with a route back into English football.
The agreement with Sheffield United follows the breakdown of several other possible moves within the division. Talks between Ayew and Blackburn Rovers failed to produce an agreement, while Burnley ended its interest after signing Jamie Vardy.
Sheffield United moved quickly when the opportunity to sign the Ghana international became available. The club approached Ayew late on Monday and reached a verbal agreement with him soon afterwards. However, the transfer cannot yet be officially announced because the Blades must first resolve an issue involving their squad registration.
Under the Championship’s squad rules, Sheffield United must have room within its registered group of 25 players for the season. The club’s management therefore needs to release one member of its current squad before Ayew can be officially registered.
His contract will be signed and validated only after that departure has taken place. Until then, the agreement remains subject to the necessary administrative step, despite the understanding already reached between the player and Sheffield United.
The timing comes as Blackburn Rovers prepare to face Sheffield United in the sixth round of the English Championship. The match will take place shortly, meaning Ayew’s proposed new club could face one of the sides that had previously been involved in discussions with the former Leicester forward.
The betting company 1xbet has listed Blackburn Rovers at odds of 2.95 to win that fixture. A draw is priced at 3.40, while Sheffield United are offered at 2.28 to take victory.
Ayew’s immediate future consequently depends not on another negotiation with Sheffield United, but on the club freeing a place in its 25-man squad. Once that condition is met, the verbal agreement reached on Monday can proceed to a formal signing and the registration of the Ghana captain.