Sport
SHUCKING; Championship rivals dishearten an ex-QPR and Birmingham City man during his trial
Former QPR and Birmingham City midfielder Andre Dozzell has come to the end of his trial period at Championship rivals Sheffield United this summer.
The 25-year-old was released by the R’s this summer having spent the back end of last season on loan at relegation rivals Birmingham City. Dozzell made 10 appearances for the Blues but couldn’t help save the club from relegation to League One.
The midfielder was subject to mixed reviews during that brief loan spell. The player started strongly under Tony Mowbray, scoring an important winning goal against Blackburn Rovers in February. However, after the former Sunderland and West Brom boss stood down from his post due to health issues, the loanee struggled for playing time.
Dozzell returned to QPR after that stint but didn’t have his contract extended, becoming a free agent. When announcing that decision, CEO Christian Nourry said: “Andre played an important role for the football club in the first half of the season and we will be forever grateful for the contributions he made.
“A difficult decision was made in January, linked to the club’s financial realities and other market priorities, in a move that was additionally designed to afford Andre more starting football. We wish him all the very best for the future.”
Recently relegated side Sheffield United then threw a lifeline to the midfielder, offering him a trial spell at Bramall Lane. The Star reports that the former Ipswich Town man ‘quietly impressed in pre-season with some composed displays’, scoring in a pre-season friendly against Chesterfield. The Blades boss Chris Wilder even expressed that he was ‘impressed with his attitude and he suits the way we play’.
From those comments, it appeared that Dozzell would be offered a contract by Sheffield United, but The Star now clarified that isn’t the case.
The outlet claims that coaching staff at the club were ‘keen’ to offer the recently released QPR man a permanent deal with uncertainty over the future of Vini Souza and Gus Hamer. However, Dozzell is set to miss the side’s final pre-season friendly against Huddersfield Town and will continue his search for a new club elsewhere.
