Sheffield United have signed goalkeeper Ivo Grbic from Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old has signed a contract until 2027 and could make his debut on Saturday when United host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
“My first impressions of the club are very good, said Grbic. “It is a big thing for every player to move to the Premier League and I am delighted to join Sheffield United.
“This is the best challenge for me. I’m sure it will be an amazing experience and it will be fun to play in front of our fans and I want to be involved as soon as possible.
“I’ve played in some good leagues in France and Spain, and played in the Champions League with Lille and played 15 or 16 games for Atletico last season which is a big club. I know I am ready now for this challenge.”
Grbic joined Atletico from Lokomotiva in his native Croatia in 2020. He made only one appearance in his debut season in Madrid, before spending the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Lille, featuring 29 times.
Last season, Gbric made 13 appearances for Atletico amid injury problems for regular No 1 Jan Oblak. Grbic has been capped twice by the senior Croatia national team and is a regular in their squads.
“There has been an enthusiasm to tie down a goalkeeper to a long-term deal,” United manager Chris Wilder added. “We have done our homework on Ivo and we believe he can be an important member of our squad. We are looking forward to working with him.”
Wes Foderingham has been United’s first-choice goalkeeper for the past three seasons. The 33-year-old has been part of the Premier League’s worst defence this campaign, conceding 51 goals in 21 games and keeping just one clean sheet.
United’s next Premier League game comes at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
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