International starlet keen to play part in Sheffield United promotion push after 'right track' verdict

While Sheffield United’s ambitions for the new Championship season centre around an immediate challenge for promotion back to the Premier League, promising youngster Sam Curtis is just setting his sights on playing more of a part. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence, culminating in a move to United in January and a subsequent top-flight debut.

Although there were signs that the right-back is far from the finished article, with boss Chris Wilder challenging him to “get up to speed” with life at Bramall Lane, it was still a dream moment for the former St. Pat’s star, who took the League of Ireland by storm as the division’s youngest-ever player to earn a move to United.

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With George Baldock departing for Greek giants Panathinaikos, and Wilder’s current transfer budget limited amid ongoing discussions about a Blades takeover, Curtis could get the chance to challenge Jayden Bogle for the right-back spot when the new Championship campaign kicks off later this year.

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“When I was in Ireland I played a lot of games and I played a lot of football,” said Curtis, speaking to The Molloy Twins podcast. “I think my goal is just to play as many games as I possibly can and constantly give good performances every week. And just keep doing what I’m doing. Because I definitely know I’m on the right track; I can feel it myself.

“I feel great, I have the right people around me in Sheffield. It’s a great, great group of lads. Obviously a good few have moved on now but the boys that we do have, and who will be there next year, are only going to help. Obviously the aspirations of the team is to get straight back up to the Prem, but that’s an aspiration for me as well, to help the team do that. To just play as many games as possible, and constantly and consistently play at a good level.”