John Egan: Sheffield United exit 'did hurt' before Hull City Premier League return

John Egan has admitted his Sheffield United departure “did hurt” after he was released following an Achilles injury. The former Blades captain rebuilt his career and earned a fairytale Premier League return with Hull City, where he has flourished under Sergej Jakirovic and recently signed a new deal.

  • Player: John Egan, 33, former Sheffield United captain
  • Injury: Achilles injury led to his Bramall Lane release
  • Return: Helped Hull City into the Premier League via the play-offs at Wembley
  • League position: Hull went into the international break eighth
  • Last result: First league defeat of the season at Newcastle United
  • New deals: Egan, Oli McBurnie and Regan Slater recently signed new contracts

What was said

“To not be given a chance after one injury to carry on at the club did hurt me.”

— John Egan, speaking to the Irish Independent

Egan also admitted: “I’ll always be a Sheffield United fan.” He returned to Bramall Lane last year to play in Chris Basham’s testimonial game and still lives locally.

How Egan rebuilt his career at Hull City

Egan’s Bramall Lane career effectively ended after the Achilles injury. Sheffield United, who had paid a club-record fee at the time to bring him in from Brentford, subsequently released him amid concerns over his future availability. The end of one road was the start of another in East Yorkshire, via a spell at Burnley.

At Hull, Egan helped the club into the Premier League via the play-offs at Wembley, despite the pre-season aim being to avoid relegation to League One. They went into the international break eighth, suffering their first defeat of the league season at Newcastle United last time out. He has flourished under Sergej Jakirovic and the experience of the ups and downs of life at United is standing him in good stead.

Egan recently signed a new deal along with Oli McBurnie and another former Blade in Regan Slater, and is making the most of an unexpected second chance in the Premier League. Before they parted ways before the break to link up with Ireland and Scotland respectively, McBurnie and Egan allowed their minds to wander back to 2019/20.

Talking points

  • Egan holds no animosity towards Sheffield United despite his release, returning for Chris Basham’s testimonial and admitting he will always be a Blade.
  • Hull City’s pre-season aim was to avoid relegation to League One, yet they went into the international break eighth in the Premier League.
  • Oli McBurnie was in Sheffield United’s grasp last summer before then-boss Ruben Selles turned him down, and he joined Hull instead.

What happens next

Hull City return from the international break after suffering their first league defeat of the season at Newcastle United. Egan, McBurnie and Slater have all recently signed new deals, and Egan is determined to savour his unexpected return to the top flight. Sheffield United, meanwhile, can only currently dream of doing the same.

Frequently asked questions

Why did John Egan leave Sheffield United?

Egan was released following an Achilles injury, with concerns over his future availability. He admitted the lack of a chance to carry on at the club “did hurt me”.

How did John Egan return to the Premier League?

After a spell at Burnley, Egan joined Hull City and helped them into the Premier League via the play-offs at Wembley, despite a pre-season aim of avoiding relegation to League One.

Which former Sheffield United players signed new Hull City deals?

John Egan, Oli McBurnie and Regan Slater all recently signed new deals at Hull City. McBurnie had been in United’s grasp last summer before then-boss Ruben Selles turned him down.

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