{"id":560329,"date":"2020-07-31T08:08:53","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T12:08:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=560329"},"modified":"2020-07-31T08:08:53","modified_gmt":"2020-07-31T12:08:53","slug":"jake-eastwood-leaves-sheffield-united-on-loan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/31\/jake-eastwood-leaves-sheffield-united-on-loan\/","title":{"rendered":"Jake Eastwood Leaves Sheffield United on Loan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sheffield United<\/a> goalkeeper Jake Eastwood has completed a loan move to <\/span>Kilmarnock<\/span>. Eastwood has joined the SPFL club on a six-month loan deal. The news could disappoint Bolton Wanderers, who had been linked to Eastwood<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jake Eastwood Leaves Sheffield United<\/h2>\n

Eastwood Needs <\/span>Playing Time
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Twenty-three-year-old Eastwood is currently on the fringes of a <\/span>breakthrough<\/span> at Sheffield United. As a member of the playing squad, he is currently experiencing one of the most successful periods in the recent history of Sheffield United.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, United’s rise from League One to top-ten of the Premier League means that <\/span>Eastwood’s chances<\/span> of first-team football are limited, not least because of the form of Dean Henderson. He has been superb and vital in United’s rise. The one problem for United is that Henderson is only a loanee; he might not return next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is eager to re-sign Henderson, as are several other managers. Henderson could even feature as the first-choice goalkeeper at Manchester United<\/a> – the club who have loaned him to Sheffield United for the past two seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Wilder opted to sign the experienced Wes Foderingham<\/a> from Rangers. Foderingham will vie with Simon Moore and Michael <\/span>Verrips<\/span> to become first-choice, should Henderson not return. This likely meant that Eastwood would remain without the vital playing time required to further his development. Therefore, a loan move from Brammall Lane seems the best option.
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Pre<\/span>vious<\/span> Loan Moves<\/span><\/h3>\n

Eastwood is no stranger to leaving Sheffield United on loan. Last season, he spent six months on loan at Scunthorpe United of League One. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although he made his Scunthorpe debut in their opening match of the 2019\/20 season, there was no sudden impact. He only started to play regularly on October 12th. From then on, he became Scunthorpe\u2019s first-choice until his return to the Blades in early January. F<\/span>ollowing his return, <\/span>Eastwood was an unused substitute for Sheffield United’s Premier League match against West Ham United<\/a> on January 10th 2020.
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Overall, Eastwood made 15 appearances in all competitions for Scunthorpe. <\/span><\/p>\n

He played for Chesterfield <\/span>during the 2017\/18 season. This was another short-loan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier that season, Eastwood had made his Sheffield United debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Walsall<\/a>. He would also feature in a Championship match for United upon his return from Chesterfield. This was on the 3rd February 2018, when United played at Wolverhampton Wanderers<\/a>. Eastwood replaced Simon Moore in goal due to Moore’s 73rd-minute dismissal<\/a>.
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Connections are Vital<\/span><\/h3>\n

Connections are vital in all careers; football maybe more so than others.<\/span><\/span> Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer mentioned this when he spoke to the Official Kilmarnock FC website<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I know the goalkeeping coach at Sheffield United,” said Dyer.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He gave Jake a strong recommendation and we believe he can really develop his career with us at Kilmarnock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Good performances for Kilmarnock could be vital if Eastwood is to <\/span>force<\/span> his way into the Sheffield United first team. He is under no illusions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a big season for me and I want to show the supporters exactly what I can do,\u201d confirmed Eastwood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eastwood could – subject to Scottish FA approval – make his Kilmarnock debut in their match at Hibernian on Saturday. This weekend marks the start of the 2020\/21 SPL season.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>