Malmo boss shares his disappointment over Nils Zatterstrom’s Sheffield United transfer

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Ruben Selles waited weeks for one new defender, and now two arrive in one day as Sheffield United secure the signings of Ben Godfrey from Atalanta and Nils Zatterstrom from Malmo.

Three weeks after Sheffield United bid farewell to Anel Ahmedhodzic – the popular man mountain left Bramall Lane for Feyenoord in a deal worth £7 million – a pair of much-needed arrivals should bring a merciful end to the rather makeshift set-up Selles has been forced to deploy during a miserable start to life in the Steel City.

Rhys Norrington-Davies started at centre-half during the 4-1 opening day trouncing by Bristol City. Jack Robinson, another left-back, then took his place as Sheffield United slipped up away to Swansea City last time out.

But, just hours after Ruben Selles confirmed that Sheffield United are considering signing free-agent Ben Mee, both Ben Godfrey and Nils Zatterstrom touched down in South Yorkshire before putting pen to paper with last season’s beaten play-off finalists.

EFL Analysis confirmed earlier this month, via chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Sheffield United wanted to bring Ben Godfrey back to England.

The former Norwich City captain and one-time Everton utility man made just ten appearances last season across forgettable spells with Ipswich Town and Atalanta. Godfrey now arrives to reinforce a thin backline, joining alongside the aforementioned Nils Zatterstrom.

The latter’s move, though, left Malmo director Daniel Andersson with rather ‘mixed’ feelings.

Malmo boss Daniel Andersson reflects on Nils Zatterstrom’s Sheffield United transfer

Coach Henrik Rydstrom confirmed on Thursday that Zatterstrom had left Swedish giants Malmo to hold talks with the Blades.

Sheffield United have now officially signed the 20-year-old Sweden international on a deal until the summer of 2029.

“Nils has come a long way in Malmo FF,” sporting director Daniel Andersson told the Allsvenskan outfit’s official website during his farewell speech.

“From our youngest youth teams, up through the academy, and on to the A-team where he has been involved in winning both Swedish Championship and the Cup gold, and played a decisive role in important European matches.

“The fact that Nils has also performed so well that he has been able to debut in the Swedish [national] team is a testament to the fantastic work that both he and the coaches he has had along the way have put in.”

Andersson makes no secret of the fact that reigning Swedish champions Malmo were hoping to keep Zatterstrom for another season. It was not just Sheffield United’s £2.5 million bid which twisted their arm, then, but also the player’s own desire to pursue a fresh start.

“It is always a mixed bag when we sell a young product of our own,” the director sighs. “While we would have liked to have kept Nils and continued to develop him here with us, we understand that he also wants to test himself in a different environment.

“We received an offer that was good for both Malmo FF and Nils, and we wish him the best of luck in England!”

Zatterstrom ‘can’t wait’ to make his Championship debut under Ruben Selles

While Godfrey has been registered in time to make his debut during Sheffield United’s Championship clash with Millwall on Saturday, Zatterstrom missed the 12pm cut-off.

Blades fans will instead have to wait until the trip to Middlesbrough on August 30th to see their new number 21 in action for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to getting started,” Zatterstrom smiles, interestingly taking the same route as his Sheffield United successor Ahmedhodzic by going from Malmo to the Steel City.

“The Swedish season started in January with European games so I’m ready to go. Sheffield United have a football-rich history and I can’t wait to play at Bramall Lane.”