Phillips' City exile finally comes to an end after joining Sheffield on loan

Kalvin Phillips has ended his Manchester City exile with a loan switch to Sheffield United.

The former England midfielder, whose last Premier League appearance for City was in November 2023, has signed a loan deal to the end of the season with the ambitious Blades.

The 30-year-old had had interest from Wolves then Burnley in recent weeks. Sunderland and Rangers also flirted with the idea of signing him but ultimately Chris Wilder's offer had remained.

When Phillips played for City in the Carabao Cup at Huddersfield Town in September, it was his first appearance for them in 645 days, and his last.

He will be joined at Bramall Lane by Rangers midfielder Joe Rothwell.

Phillips has endured a torrid time since a £45m move to the Etihad in 2022 and has spent loan spells with West Ham United and Ipswich Town after struggling to force his way into manager Pep Guardiola's first team plans.

The Leeds-born player has two-and-a-half years left on a lucrative contract believed to be worth around £175,000-a-week and it is thought that City are heavily subsidising the move. His last Three Lions cap came in 2023.

He is also thought to have interest from abroad but has opted to cross the Pennines.

In 2022 following the World Cup, Guardiola described the midfielder as 'overweight', a comment Phillips later admitted was a 'big knock to my confidence'.

Guardiola later said sorry. 'I do apologise to him,' the Spaniard said. 'I'm so sorry.'