Sheffield United confirm the surprise signing of Patrick Bamford months after his X-rated chant about his new manager Chris Wilder.
The Blades have brought in the free agent striker on a short-term deal until January 2026, adding Premier League and Championship experience to their squad.
The 32-year-old England international left Leeds United after their 2024-25 promotion. But in light of his arrival at Bramall Lane, his gone viral chant from around 7 months ago has resurfaced again.
In April 2025, when Bamford led Leeds fans to a “Wilder is a wanker” chant, during promotion celebrations after a 6-0 win over Stoke (which sealed Leeds’ and Burnley’s automatic promotion, sending Blades to playoffs).
Wilder, who once called Leeds players “muppets” in 2019, revealed a 20-minute call from Bamford apologising and explaining, plus a 30-minute chat with Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
Patrick Bamford is a Blade ⚡️
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 13, 2025
Feeling good in red and white 😎 pic.twitter.com/cqUC9MoKtS
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 13, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
United have added extra firepower to the forward ranks after securing a deal to sign an England international striker.
Free agent Patrick Bamford has agreed a short-term contract until January with the Blades and brings with him a wealth of experience at Premier League and Championship level.
The 32-year-old has been looking for a club since leaving Leeds United following promotion to the Premier League last season.
Starting his career at Nottingham Forest, he moved to Chelsea in 2012 and embarked on a number of loan moves where he consistently scored goals for the likes of MK Dons, Derby County and Middlesbrough.
After short loan stays at Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley, he rejoined Middlesbrough on a permanent basis in 2017 for a fee believed to be in the region of £5.5m.
Another big-money move to Leeds United followed in 2018 with his goals assisting in promotion to the Premier League in 2020.
He continued to score in the top flight, leading to a full England cap in 2021 against Andorra in a World Cup qualifier.
Bamford played 18 times for Leeds last season in all competitions, earning another promotion but departed Elland Road at the end of August this year.
Chris Wilder revealed a phone call he had from Patrick Bamford over chants during the Leeds promotion celebrations.
Wilder said he had a 20-minute call with Bamford, who reached out to explain his actions during the promotion party.
The manager expressed appreciation for Bamford’s call, stating he had “no issue” with the celebrations despite questioning the choice of words from a fellow professional.
He described himself as a “big boy” who can “give it and take it,” referencing his own history of provocative celebrations, such as singing derogatory songs about rivals Sheffield Wednesday after Steel City derby wins.
Wilder also had a 30-minute conversation with Farke, whom he described as a “top guy.” The two managers, who had past tensions from Farke’s Norwich City days, share mutual respect.
Wilder noted the competitive rivalry between the Yorkshire clubs but emphasised there were no hard feelings, acknowledging the intense nature of the promotion race.
“No issue at all with it… I’m a big boy. You give it, you take it” 🤝
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he received a phone call from Patrick Bamford after the forward directed chants towards him during Leeds’ promotion celebrations 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/O7BnCu0ZQU
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 24, 2025
— Paul Z (@ABielsaDisciple) April 22, 2025
🗣️ “I’m a big boy; you give it, you take it”
🗣️ “I had a conversation with Pat yesterday”
⚔️ Sheff Utd boss Chris Wilder on Leeds United & Patrick Bamford’s promotion celebrations.
🎧 Stoke City preview in Blades Heaven 👉 https://t.co/IlwY2FKyEu#SUFC | #LUFC | @BBCSheffield pic.twitter.com/5CkdBusGip
— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) April 24, 2025
“I’m a big boy, you give it you take it,” said Wilder, per Yorkshire Post. “You give it out locally, you take it locally as I’ve always done.
“We have our moments, other teams have their moments.
“I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I’ve no issue at all with it.
“I’m not sure about the words from by a fellow pro but I appreciate and respected him giving me a call and we had 20 minutes.
“I spoke to Daniel as well and had a half-hour chat with Daniel Farke. He’s a top guy.
“They’re a top team and a top football club.
“I would in a heartbeat have swapped our position for theirs but it isn’t the case. Ninety-four points for both of those teams is an incredible achievement.
“It was a tough campaign from the off for us and we’ve kept it alive to the 44th game. But ultimately we’ve finished in the position we will (third).”
Wilder and Farke had their issues when they first clashed when Farke was at Norwich, but these days, the two have mutual respect for each other, and Wilder thinks the game is better for the rivalry between the Yorkshire clubs.
“When I was playing we used to give it and take it,” he argued. “It’s part of the game at every level, even on a Sunday morning.
“That’s part of the interesting part of the game – local rivalries, rivalries between teams and players, everything that goes with it.
“I’ve got absolutely no issue. When you give it, you take it, you have to get on with it.
“I’m absolutely cool with it and I said that to Pat yesterday.
“We had our moment in 18-19 possibly off the back of an incredible afternoon against Ipswich Town at home and a long, long night and an early start and they’ve done exactly the same.
“I’ve no issue. We’d have done exactly the same in terms of enjoying ourselves because to get promotion is an incredible achievement, it’s not a given, and you have to do a lot of things right.”
Back in 2019, Chris Wilder blasted ‘muppets from Leeds’ as Sheffield United secured promotion, read and watch more on that in the article below…
‘Muppet’ Patrick Bamford leads fans into chant about Chris Wilder after Leeds win promotion
Here’s how fans reacted as Sheffield United confirm the signing of Patrick Bamford months after his X-rated Chris Wilder chant…
@Charlie_Robb96: The least controversial signing of the year. Called Wilder a wanker then apologised to him after. Glad we’re never gonna see Mr softy top in a Leeds shirt again.
@shoreham_stats: Cannot get my head around this one. He’s only played 44.2 90s of football since the 2021/22 season! Physio team clearly missing Brewster this year, ideal replacement…
@AllThingsBlades: If he scores the winner against Wednesday i’ll get his name tattooed on me.
@GP1867: So when we try to sign free agents you all start crying but its ok for you to do it? Cool. #swfc
@Sufc_Jam3s: Ngl, Actually a decent signing
@Fonzyy97: Welcome PB. Debut goal next week please ⚔️
@sufcdan12: Patrick Bamford scoring against Wednesday then running straight to hug Chris wilder will be an unbelievable sight
@LeeSimmo73: This “Wilder is a wanker” thing is what football should be all about. I’m pretty sure he laughed it off at the time. Ya give it, ya take it & move on. Too many sentimental babies in football now. I don’t particularly rate him but then I didn’t rate Madine & he did a job.
@KyleIOWromans: The fact they didn’t announce it with him singing ‘do do do, Wilder is my gaffer’ is a waste of Twitter
@Bailey_SUFC: Just like with every other signing of ours of course it’s not got down well, but if he bags the winner a week on Sunday that’s good enough for me
@leeds_utd_news: Not sure how i’m meant to feel about this, doesn’t look right 🤯 #lufc
@JoeBlade9: Wilder loves bringing a Judas to the club doesn’t he? Clarke, Madine & now Bamford. Positive is, I hated Madine’s guts and he left with me wanting more, loved him in the end. Hoping Bamford is a similar story 😂😂 #sufc
@The_Bladesman: I rate Patrick Bamford when he’s fit. Trouble is he’s not been fit very often lately. I know people aren’t particularly happy with the signing but don’t think we’ve got much to lose with it being until January. Gives us something different up top too if he can get on the pitch. #twitterblades #sufc
