Sheffield United have been told they have signed a ‘brilliant prospect’, but received one warning

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Sheffield United have been handed an exciting verdict about one of their latest summer recruits, but it’s also come with a warning that he may need time to adapt to English football.

The Blades are preparing to go again after falling short in the Championship play-off final, losing to Sunderland at Wembley Stadium.

Chris Wilder’s future is now in doubt at Bramall Lane but that hasn’t stopped work going on behind the scenes to find new players to challenge for promotion.

A data-driven model led by AI is being used to find new signings and has helped them stumble upon Ehije Ukaki from Botev Plovdiv.

Ukaki’s signing has split the Sheffield United fanbase but there are signs that he could be a shrewd bit of business.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United fans are not impressed by potential Chris Wilder replacements, there’s only ‘one man for the job’

Bulgarian football expert thinks Sheffield United’s Ehije Ukaki is a ‘talent’

This is the second signing the Blades have brought in from Botev Plovdiv after signing Christian Nwachukwu last winter.

Nwachukwu hasn’t played a first-team game yet and there are hopes that their latest Plovdiv addition can make more of an impact.

It seems like he could make a name for himself in S2 as well, as Bulgarian football expert Nikolay Petkov told the Sheffield Star that he is one to watch out for.

“In Botev Plovdiv. [Ukaki] has been playing excellently, because he can play as a winger or as a full-back. He is a brilliant talent and prospect,” Petkov stated.

“Ukaki is not a bad player. He is a talented player and he grabbed my attention.”

Sheffield United told Ehije Ukaki may need time to adapt

A new signing is always exciting but the Championship and Bulgarian top flight are very different levels of quality.

Bulgaria’s top flight has been dominated by Ludogarets, who have won 14 successive league titles in a row, and Petkov has warned Sheffield United that the lack in quality may mean it is difficult to make the transition to English football.

He added: “Bulgarian football is very weak because for 14 years, there has been no competition and Ludogorets only dominates.

“For English football you need a pretty big physique, motivation and endurance. And just because of the level of Bulgarian football, I wonder how he can make the jump.”