Sheffield United unveil Leicester left-back Luke Thomas, with 22-year-old defender signing on loan

Sheffield United have announced the signing of Leicester City left-back Luke Thomas on a season-long loan.

The England U21 international was a target for Leeds United earlier this week, but Leicester would not allow the 22-year-old to move to a Championship rival.

Thomas has had a lot of interest but is excited about the prospect of returning to the Premier League.

He is likely to appear directly in Paul Heckingbottom’s squad to face Everton following Ben Osborn’s injury.

Thomas, the Blades’ ninth summer signing, will wear the number 14 shirt at Bramall Lane.

The 22-year-old defender replaces fullback Ben Osborn, who is injured for a long time

Thomas played 17 games in the Premier League last season and is now returning to the top

He said: ‘When United came in a few days ago it was an easy decision for me. Returning to playing Premier League football is clearly what I wanted to do. Coming here is an amazing experience and I can’t wait to get started.

“I was interested elsewhere at the time, but then United came along and as I said, it was an easy decision, a no-brainer really. I can’t wait to go. I think this is a huge moment. Getting playing time and getting into the team is critical to me.

“I want to play as many games as possible, especially in the Premier League. My career has been going well so far, I’ve won a few things, so hopefully I can continue that here.”

Foxes academy product Thomas won the FA Cup in 2021 and the European Under-21 Championship in July with Leicester.

Heckingbottom added: ‘Luke comes from a top-class background, he’s a good young player who also has a wealth of experience at Premier League level. What also impressed me was that he was hungry to come in and eager to get started.”

Osborn will see a specialist in London on Thursday after sustaining a groin injury in Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City.

Sheffield United assistant coach Stuart McCall confirmed, following their penalty shoot-out defeat to Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, that the left-back will travel to the capital to assess the extent of the damage.

“I don’t think it’s a good one,” McCall said of Osborn’s injury. “I think he will be seeing a specialist in London tomorrow (Thursday). Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it will be short-lived… at least he did major damage to the groin area. We’re not sure if it’s a rupture, but he’s going to see a specialist.’