Phil Jagielka: Sheffield United re-sign defender after 12 years at Everton

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Phil Jagielka celebrates scoring for Everton against Arsenal
Phil Jagielka scored one goal for Everton in last season's Premier League

Defender Phil Jagielka has returned to Sheffield United after his Everton contract ended - 12 years after leaving the Blades for Goodison Park.

The former England centre-back, 36, has signed a one-year deal with the newly promoted Premier League side.

After joining Everton for £4m in 2007, Jagielka scored 19 goals in 386 appearances for the Toffees and had captained the club since 2013.

"It's nice to put the red and white shirt on again," he said.

Jagielka spent seven years at the start of his career at Sheffield United, winning promotion to the Premier League in 2006 before leaving after relegation the following season.

He made 40 appearances for England between 2008 and 2016, scoring three goals.

After falling out of favour under boss Marco Silva, Jagielka featured only seven times for Everton during the 2018-19 Premier League season.

"He's a really good footballer and a great character to have around in our first season back in the Premier League," said Blades manager Chris Wilder.

"His desire to come here was obvious and I'm absolutely delighted he's back home."

In his first spell with the Bramall Lane club, Jagielka twice ended up in goal for lengthy periods - against Millwall in 2004 and Arsenal in 2006 - with the Blades winning both games.

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121 comments

  • Comment posted by MikeH, at 21:26 4 Jul 2019

    Thank you Jags, the perfect professional..we will miss you at Goodison

  • Comment posted by Tommo90, at 21:50 4 Jul 2019

    There's part of me that thinks this is a nostalgia signing. However, he will add PL experience and leadership, which will be crucial for United, because this is the highest a lot of their players have ever played. Even if just around the dressing room, he could be very influential. On a free and probably taking a wage cut, this seems a pretty shrewd signing.

  • Comment posted by Headingly spirit, at 21:51 4 Jul 2019

    @8. GM13 "Too much sentiment in the game, he's 36 now. Get a grip."
    *
    Too much money in the game, you mean. There's no sentiment at all. You need to get a grip. You know you're on a football HYS, not rounders?!

    Jags a great servant for Everton, and I wish him every success at the Blades. Good pick-up for them too. First year back; a defender with bags of EPL experience. Everyone's a winner.

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 22:00 4 Jul 2019

    Great signing, a winner, quality player, excellent to have around Bramall Lane and will get game time. What's not to like? Thanks for looking after him well, Everton.

  • Comment posted by Run that by me again, at 22:01 4 Jul 2019

    Wish you all the best Jags, great player for us at EFC. Will be missed. Hope SU do well this season. Also, thanks for the signed photo I got for my wedding in 2008. :-)

  • Comment posted by Blue_Carl, at 22:02 4 Jul 2019

    @27 completely agree. I had to put it into Google translate to have a modicum of understanding.

    Good signing for me. Top professional and loads of experience and an absolute no brainer if you're Sheff Utd.

  • Comment posted by kickabout, at 22:00 4 Jul 2019

    He may be a bit slow and not so mobile but experience at the back counts. This is great news for the blades, he will give everything, no doubt about it.

  • Comment posted by fatboyslim, at 21:37 4 Jul 2019

    A good signing for the Blades he's got plenty of experience in the Premier League. He knows the opposition well hopefully his contribution will help them stay up!

  • Comment posted by Liampr, at 06:34 5 Jul 2019

    As a Liverpool fan - no wonder everyone hates us, given some of the kn**s on here - bet they’ve never even been to our city, let alone the match.

    Jags always seemed a great pro, and played the game the right way.

    Could have done without him sticking it in the top corner of the Kop end though from 25 yards!

    Good luck lad.

  • Comment posted by Thewiglet, at 21:46 4 Jul 2019

    good luck Jags

  • Comment posted by rxwfzdzd, at 21:38 4 Jul 2019

    A great servant for Everton - good luck Jags

  • Comment posted by kev, at 09:00 5 Jul 2019

    I’m an arsenal fan... (feel free to mock) but all you lot putting Jagielka down... your a bit uneducated. Always been a big fish in a little pond. He was a great defender. He is ageing so why not take his experience to a team newly promoted and teach his fellow defendants about the league? Everton should be bloody grateful for his service and commitment too. Always played well for country too..

  • Comment posted by laven23, at 22:21 4 Jul 2019

    Jags you will be missed at Everton. The idots saying he is past it didn't see some of his performances last season. Is he past his prime YES. Can he do a job at Sheffield United HELL YES. Great to have in your squad. Good luck mate

  • Comment posted by jmic, at 21:54 4 Jul 2019

    @24 man who likes cake
    Are you illiterate even my 6 year old can put a few sentences together without looking like an imbecile

  • Comment posted by dave, at 21:54 4 Jul 2019

    @24
    What the hell does all that actually mean???

  • Comment posted by Smelly Boyd, at 23:27 4 Jul 2019

    I very much doubt Phil has money in mind. He’ll be an inspiration back at the club. Anybody who doesn’t listen to him, may as well give up the game. Respect is earned.

  • Comment posted by U14972252, at 21:20 4 Jul 2019

    Great player, fantastic professional and even though he scored a blinder against us in the derby a few years ago, I wish him all the best!

  • Comment posted by markusbeggs, at 23:14 4 Jul 2019

    Good luck Phil from a Liverpool fan.

  • Comment posted by U17502911, at 11:28 5 Jul 2019

    We all know the leap from the Championship to the PL is a massive one but Sheffield Utd have got one hell of a team. At his age Phil J won't be galloping around for 90 minutes week in week out but that doesn't matter because he has huge experience at this level and is still capable of that bit of "magic" when needed and the youngsters will flourish by him being there.

    Hammers supporter.

  • Comment posted by Pete, at 22:53 4 Jul 2019

    Absolutely delighted for Jags, whose contributions last season were superb when he was given the chance to play. A great one season signing by the Blades, and we were short sighted at Goodison not to do the same. A consummate professional and he will definitely be on the score sheet before Halloween. I'm looking forward to cheering him again at Goodison in September. Good luck Jags.

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