Manchester City starlet James McAtee has joined Championship outfit Sheffield United on a season-long loan deal.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is moving away from the Citizens for the first time in his career, albeit on a temporary deal, and will link up with fellow City academy graduate Tommy Doyle, who moved to Bramall Lane on loan earlier in the window.
McAtee and Doyle are two of four loan signings made by Paul Heckingbottom this summer, along with Ciaran Clark and Reda Khadra from Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, while Anel Ahmedhodzic is the club's only permanent signing to date, joining from Malmo for around £4m.
Speaking to Sheffield United's official website on his arrival at the club, McAtee said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge, I've been building up to a loan for a few years now and I think I'm ready.
"Paul (Heckingbottom) was a lovely guy to meet, he showed me around and made me feel welcome. He was telling me about how he sees me playing and that's how I see it too.
"The way Sheffield United play suits me and hopefully I can help with creative options. Manchester City are obviously happy with the club, they want me to get some game time and experience."
James McAtee is in the building. ⭐️🏴
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 4, 2022
One of the hottest prospects in English football arrives at Bramall Lane on a season-long loan from Manchester City.#SUFC 🔴
Heckingbottom added: "James a talented player, someone who is rated very highly at City and throughout football. We are excited to get him."
"We know there was a lot of interest in him, we registered ours last year but obviously James wanted to get in the Manchester City squad.
"As soon as he became available for loan, his agents did a really good job, presented the clubs who were interested and I believe we were the only one in the Championship who he wanted to speak to, among interest from the Premier League and abroad.
"We put our best foot forward, we told James what he can expect from us but likewise what we expect from him and he wanted to come.
"We are grateful to Manchester City, we think we are a good place for young players and comparisons have been drawn, we have huge expectation and a major fan base."
"I've been building up to it, I'm ready to go on loan and ready to play for such an amazing team."
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 4, 2022
James McAtee speaks to SUTV after joining on loan from @ManCity. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6InhRVMwte
McAtee, who is regarded as one of the hottest prospects to have emerged from Man City's academy in recent years, excelled for the club's Under-23s side who lifted the title last season.
The attacking midfielder was named the Premier League 2 Player of the Season after scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 23 league appearances.
The England Under-21 international also featured six times for Pep Guardiola's senior team last season, including appearances in the Premier League and Champion League, and was part of the club's pre-season tour of the USA over the summer.
McAtee, who will wear the number 28 shirt at Bramall Lane, could make his debut for Sheffield United when they play host to Millwall in the Championship on Saturday.
Meanwhile, McAtee's older brother John McAtee has joined Championship club Luton Town from Grimsby Town on a permanent deal, and he will return to the League Two side on loan for the 2022-23 campaign.
Oliver Thomas
