25-year-old edging towards Sheffield United exit

Jake Eastwood is set to complete a loan move to Ross County according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, via Patreon.

The 25-year-old would have been third choice at Bramall Lane next season, assuming Adam Davies signs a new contract, and therefore a temporary exit does not come as a surprise.

Nixon’s Patreon post read as follows: “Keeper Jake Eastwood is with Ross County for their pre-season tour to Italy.

“Eastwood is on the verge of joining the Staggies from Sheffield United for the season, as we revealed last week.”

Eastwood is a product of Sheffield United‘s academy and will join the Scottish Premiership side on the ninth loan spell of his career.

There was a potential pathway to the first team developing at Sheffield United at the beginning of the season, however Wes Foderingham’s performances after the sale of Aaron Ramsdale and Robin Olsen’s exit, mean that he will take the number one jersey heading into next season.

Ross County finished sixth in the Scottish top-flight last season and will be expecting to build on that platform next term under Malky Mackay.

It is important that Eastwood builds connections away from the Blades at this stage of his career, with a permanent move seemingly on the horizon in the long term.

The Verdict

The Adam Davies situation remains up in the air after the former Barnsley shot stopper’s contract expired this summer.

The 29-year-old endured a difficult two and a half season stint at Stoke City, where he was in and out of favour a fair amount, before signing a six-month deal at Bramall Lane in January. In terms of backup goalkeepers at Championship level the Blades cannot hope for much better, but Davies may want to find a destination where he will be first choice.

Foderingham asserted himself