Sheff Utd sign Atalanta defender Godfrey on loan

Ben Godfrey won two caps for England in 2021

Sheffield United have boosted their defensive options by signing former England centre-half Ben Godfrey on loan from Atalanta.

Godfrey is returning to his Yorkshire roots after frustrating spells at Atalanta and Ipswich.

Godfrey, 27, made one substitute appearances in Serie A for the 2024 Europa League winners following his £10million switch from Everton last summer and played only five times on loan at Portman Road in the second half of last season.

He will be hoping to make more of an impression with United this season with boss Ruben Selles in need of defensive cover after Anel Ahmedhodzic's departure to Feyenoord for £15.6m earlier this month.

Godfrey, who joined Everton from Norwich for £25m in 2020, could make an immediate debut against Millwall on Saturday.

Godfrey began his career at his hometown club of York and is excited about coming back to Yorkshire.

"I'm a Yorkshire lad so it's brilliant to be back home, and I'm looking forward to getting started," he told the United website.

"The manager has some good ideas and I'm looking forward to learning from him. I think there will be positives through the season we can look forward to.

"I've been training hard at Atalanta, so I'm feeling ready to go."

The Blades hope Godfrey can help kickstart their season and they are next to bottom of the Championship, having lost their first two league games.