Sheffield United seal second summer signing, he’s on the plane to Portugal

Sheffield United have completed a second summer signing by bringing in left-back Yasser Larouci before their trip to Portugal today.

The Blades fly out this evening to their pre-season camp in Portugal and have already got Anis Slimane on the plane.

And according to Alan Nixon, United have also completed the signing of Larouci today and he too was included in the travelling party to Europe.

Larouci has been brought in following a relegatio with Troyes last season. He was free to leave following that dip to Ligue 2 and United have made their move quickly.

With Enda Stevens having been let go and Rhys Norrington-Davies still not back from injury, a left-sided player was key for Paul Heckingbottom this window.

Formely of Liverpool, Larouci will be seen as a coup for Heckingbottom and United.

Sheff U News View: Starting to come together

The signings of Slimane and now Larouci represent good business for United and a complete shift in policy from the last time we went up.

Gone are the days of splashing £20m on one player. The Blades are now looking for value in the European market and Larouci very much ticks the boxes of what Heckingbottom wants.

Cover at left-back was needed this summer and Larouci will bring that. Max Lowe likely has the shirt for now but competition is a good thing and Larouci will bring a different dynamic.

With Benie Traore also set to be signed, things are coming along nicely for United right now. One or two more additions, and Iliman Ndiaye staying put, and we will be ready to go come August.

YASSER LAROUCI SET TO LEAVE TROYES FOR SHEFFIELD UNITED

L’Équipe report this afternoon that French youth international left-back Yasser Larouci is closing in on a move to newly-promoted Premier League side Sheffield United, in the wake of Troyes’ relegation to Ligue 2 last season.

Larouci was under contract with the Aube side for another three years, having joined from Liverpool back in 2021. He had come through the youth ranks with the Reds and would make two appearances with the senior team during his time on Merseyside.

The full-back has emerged as a consistent started this season, playing in 30 Ligue 1 fixtures, chipping in with one goal and one assist, with the team ultimately unable to avoid relegation. The previous season, he had only been involved in 12 matches. This summer, he was called up to the France squad that took part in the U21 Euros, with Les Bleuets eventually going out in the quarter-finals after a loss against Ukraine.