Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the season.
It marks Phillips' return to Championship football, having last played in the second tier with Leeds United in their triumphant 2019/20 season where they won the league.
Phillips is headed to the Blades, where he will enjoy some much-needed minutes
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Phillips is headed to the Blades, where he will enjoy some much-needed minutesCredit: AFP
Phillips has featured just once for City this season, which was a seven-minute cameo in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The defensive midfielder has endured a torrid time at the Etihad since he moved to City from Leeds in 2022.
Phillips has started only four matches for City following his transfer, which was estimated to be £42million.
His last Premier League appearance under Pep Guardiola came in November 2023
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The 31-year-old is contracted at City through to 2028.
Prior to the move, Phillips cemented himself as one of the hottest English talents in the game thanks to his barnstorming displays for Leeds in their midfield.
Phillips' impressive form at club level also helped him become an England international, where he featured at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
In total, Phillips has won 31 caps for the Three Lions.
The temporary move to the Blades also represents Phillips' third in as many seasons.
He spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at West Ham United but managed only 10 appearances across all competitions for the Hammers.
Kalvin Phillips looks on during a West Ham match
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Phillips has largely been absent from the footballing landscape since he joined CityCredit: Getty
Phillips then joined Ipswich Town for the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign.
Although he enjoyed plenty of minutes, starting in 16 of his 22 total appearances for the Tractor Boys, Phillips was unable to prevent Ipswich's instant return to the Championship.
Phillips joins a Blades outfit looking to make a late push for the play-offs as they sit 17th in the Championship with 36 points, 11 away from sixth-placed Wrexham.
United sitting in 17th represents a major turnaround from where they were at the start of the season, as seven defeats from their first eight league fixtures left the Blades rooted to the foot of the table.
The dismal form also prompted the axing of Ruben Selles as Chris Wilder, who led the Blades to the Championship play-off final last season but fell short and soon departed, returned.
Since Wilder was re-installed as the Blades boss, he has overseen 11 wins, three draws and 11 defeats in 25 matches.
Wilder's side will look to make it three matches unbeaten when they host Oxford United on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.