Manager Chris Wilder continues to tweak his Sheffield United side during the January transfer window and on Tuesday it was confirmed that another one of our highly-rated youth prospects had moved on for pastures new.
20-year-old Callum Semple has worked diligently through our ranks in recent years and the left-sided centre-half becomes the second development player to leave this window following Harvey Gilmour permanent switch out to Tranmere Rovers.
➡️ OUTGOING
⚔️ United have allowed defender Callum Semple to join Ross County on a permanent basis.
???????????????????????????? The 20 year old joins the Scottish Championship leaders with immediate effect with United securing a significant sell on and other clauses.#SUFChttps://t.co/olEtyhQqr9
— Sheffield United (@SUFC_tweets) January 22, 2019
Semple was yet to make his senior bow for us, but in the first half of the 2018/19 campaign he spent time with Queen of the South up in Scotland, making 22 starting appearances, with a further five showings from the substitutes bench and back in early August he scored his first professional goal for them.
He heads north across the border as he departs, signing permanent terms of fellow Scottish side Ross County. It sounds like a free deal, or at least nominal, but United state they have a significant sell on clause along with other bonuses which is something.
Fans reacting on social media felt it could be a mistake though.
Why are we selling prospects?
— Dan Spillings (@Dan_Spillings) January 22, 2019
Thought this young un was 1 for the future In my eyes
All the best to you at Ross County— Mark White (@MarkWhi85762662) January 22, 2019
Recon if we was still in league one he would have probably been given a chance but it’s a huge step up to the championship so I guess it’s another wage off the books
— Jordan Bodfield (@JBodz10) January 22, 2019
Yet we keep players like carruthers and holmes
— Birchisdead (@kylebirchenough) January 22, 2019
Another one departing without playing, smith scores two on debut at sonny yet we are paying Washington wages for what?
— Jonathon (@jonathonchapma2) January 22, 2019
Decent player. Good luck Callum
— Bobby (@bobby_sufc) January 22, 2019