Kalvin Phillips is joining Sheffield United on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season.
It marks Phillips’ return to Championship football, having last played in League Two with Leeds United in the triumphant 2019/20 season in which they won the league.
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Phillips made just one appearance for City this season, a seven-minute cameo in the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The defensive midfielder has endured a difficult time at the Etihad since joining City from Leeds in 2022.
Phillips has only played four games for City following his transfer, which was valued at £42million.
His last Premier League appearance under Pep Guardiola took place in November 2023
The 31-year-old is under contract with City until 2028.
Prior to the move, Phillips established himself as one of the hottest English talents in the game thanks to his impressive performances in Leeds’ midfield.
Phillips’ impressive form at club level also helped him become an England international, appearing at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
In total, Phillips has won 31 caps for the Three Lions.
The temporary move to the Blades is also Phillips’ third move in as many seasons.
He spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at West Ham United, but only made ten appearances for the Hammers in all competitions.
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Phillips then moved to Ipswich Town for the entire 2024/25 season.
Despite getting plenty of minutes in 16 of his 22 appearances for the Tractor Boys, Phillips was unable to prevent Ipswich’s immediate return to the Championship.
Phillips joins a Blades team looking to make a late push into the play-offs as the team sit 17th in the Championship on 36 points, 11 points behind sixth-placed Wrexham.
United’s 17th-place finish marks a significant turnaround from where they were at the start of the season, with the Blades stuck at the foot of the table after seven defeats in their first eight league games.
The poor form also led to Ruben Selles being sacked as Chris Wilder, who led the Blades to the Championship play-off final last season but failed there and soon left, returned.
Since being reinstated as Blades boss, Wilder has overseen 11 wins, three draws and 11 defeats in 25 games.
Wilder’s side will try to remain unbeaten for a third time against Oxford United on Tuesday. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.