Sheffield United F.c. retain Nwachukwu and Ukaki for next season
Sheffield United f.c. have retained Christian Nwachukwu and Ehije Ukaki ahead of next season, keeping two Nigerian-born forwards in the squad after both spent time away on loan during the 2025-2026 campaign. The club’s retained and released list came after the season ended and also included Femi Seriki among those staying.
Nwachukwu’s Serikspor spell
Nwachukwu joined Sheffield United from Botev Plovdiv in February 2025, then spent the second half of the 2025-2026 campaign on loan at Serikspor. He made 11 league appearances there, scored once and set up two more, but he has still not made his senior debut for Sheffield United.
His pathway has already included a brief place in the first-team picture. Nwachukwu was named in a Sheffield United matchday squad against Derby County in November 2025, a sign he stayed on the edge of the senior group even while his minutes came elsewhere.
Ukaki and the senior picture
Ukaki’s route has been even shorter at senior level. He made his only Sheffield United appearance against Birmingham City in August 2025 before joining Atromitos on loan during the January transfer window.
The 4 call-ups he received for official matches before that loan show how often he was around the senior setup without adding to his appearance total. Sheffield United now keep him under contract until June 2028, one year longer than Nwachukwu’s deal, which runs to June 2027.
Seriki stays too
Seriki gives the retained list a more established point of reference. He made 38 Championship appearances in the 2025-2026 campaign and finished with 1 goal and 6 assists, enough to keep him in the frame as United shape the group for the next season.
For Nwachukwu and Ukaki, the decision locks in two players who have already spent time developing away from Bramall Lane but remain part of the club’s plans. Their combined senior records are still limited, yet both are under contract and now enter the off-season knowing United have not moved them on.
