Newly promoted Sheffield United complete deal for Brondby midfielder Anis Slimane

Newly promoted Sheffield United have completed the signing of Anis Slimane from Brondby. 

The versatile midfielder, who despite being just 22 has 27 caps for Tunisia, becomes the Blades' first acquisition following their return to the Premier League at the second time of asking. 

Paul Heckingbottom's men finished second to Burnley in the Championship last season.

After sealing a three-year deal, Slimane said: "I like the culture of the club. I heard it is a hardworking club and that reminds me of myself.

"I love to work hard and I love to give everything - leave everything out on the pitch. At this club, nothing is given, everything is worked for.

"I had a really good talk with the club and the manager, and I felt that they had the right plan for me.

"The manager was really honest and I am excited to be here and looking forward to the Premier League.

"It is a big opportunity and a big challenge - I am not coming here for a vacation. I have been through a lot in my career so far, even though I'm only 22, but I still have a lot to learn, and I am looking forward to learning every day."

Heckingbottom said of Slimane: "He's 22, but someone with a lot of experience. He's played a lot of first-team games, been to a World Cup and someone who has continually gone up the ladder in terms of his levels.

"He's a technical player who can handle the ball really well and someone who works really hard.

"I think the fact that he's played in a number of positions at international level and has been trusted in those positions shows he gets the game tactically.

"Anis is someone we've known about since we first took the job here, really in that first window.

"We never really had the opportunity to do something until now and it has just coincided with his contract situation, so the timing is really good for both of us."

Born in Copenhagen, Slimane flitted around a number of Danish clubs before joining AB, where he made his first-team debut in 2018. 

He then made the switch to Brondby, where he became a pivotal member of the side, helping them to their first league title in 16 years in the 2020/21 season. 

At the 2022 World Cup, he actually played against Denmark for Tunisia, having represented the country of his birth at under-19 level. 

Capable of playing in a variety of formations, Slimane is most often found on the right side of central midfield, although he can play as the left-sided central midfielder, on either wing or as a wide forward.