Woodburn gets first loan deal in Championship

Liverpool's 18 year old Ben Woodburn will spend the season on loan, his first such deal, at Sheffield United in the Championship.

In a sign of his potential, the Wales international will compete at a high level for the Blades.

United finished 10th out of the 24 team league last year - just 6 points away from a Premier League play off place.  They had dropped these vital 6 points in their final 3 games of the season.

Their league campaign, and push for promotion, gets underway this Saturday at home against former Premier League side Swansea.

Initially it was believed the player would head to Aston Villa for the season but Sheffield United beat off their competition to secure his services.  Woodburn was left out of the ongoing training camp to France while the clubs worked out a deal.

Their manager, Chris Wilder, said:

"Ben is a great signing for us, he is an exciting player with undoubted quality. He's been involved with Liverpool throughout their pre-season and I'm delighted they've trusted us with one of their outstanding young prospects, who is a full international as a teenager.

"It's his first loan move and I'm sure it will be a great one for all parties. He makes goals and score goals with both feet, he can play in a couple of attacking positions and gives us flexibility at the top of the pitch."

With an increase in attacking options at Liverpool the move looks the best for both parties.  Woodburn, like teammate Harry Wilson, are at an age where a competitive spell in the Championship will aid their development far more than the occasional domestic cup game.

Last season Klopp decided against loaning Woodburn out, but now feels the time is right for the player to prove his ability in England's second tier.

Woodburn became LFC"s third youngest player when he debuted in November 2016 (92nd minute substitute v Sunderland) and the clubs youngest goalscorer three days later when he came off the bench to score against Leeds in a League Cup quarter final.

The loan deal is for the full season.

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