Troublemaker

January 1st, Sheffield United complex.

Blaise Atkinson had not had a good night's sleep. 

Since he's a big fan of fireworks displays, New Years' Eve, and family reunions, he was pretty much up all night with his father, a couple of cousins, and Cameron. 

His 21 year old elder cousin Evan was seriously contemplating whether to agree to an enticing transfer offer from overseas... while his 19 year old younger brother Elias was in the same boat regarding a permanent transfer from his boyhood club Southampton to League Two side Crewe Alexandra this winter transfer window. 

Which made him realize that the winter transfer window had already swung open around midnight. 

He racked his brains on what he could remember Sheffield United did during this particular window, but this was too obscure a knowledge for him to remember. After all, he was plying his trade in the non leagues during this time in his first life. He couldn't care less about things too higher up the ladder. He just wanted to prove himself and secure a professional contract somewhere.

"Take it. It's better to be a guaranteed first teamer there, than being sent down the divisions on loan anyway, where it could go either way." Cameron gave his piece of advice to Elias as a younger player wanting a chance at the first team. 

"Okay, I'll take your advice, honorary cousin." Elias was the spontaneous sort. Unlike most youths, he doesn't have any strong feelings towards his boyhood club. "I'm gonna fucking destroy them once I get up the divisions."

Cameron felt like his feelings were validated when he heard Elias Atkinson's words.

"Should I take it, new cousin?" Evan also inquired.

"How much are they offering you?"

"Four and a half grand a week, plus a ton of bonuses." He disclosed the contract offer with a pensive attitude. 

"Four and a half grand? Take it." Cameron almost shrieked. That's more than fifteen times what he earns a week in Sheffield! He was looking forward to the day he gets paid as much, or even more than that. 

Neither Evan nor Elias cared that they were getting advice from someone the same age as their youngest cousin.

Throughout the night, Blaise was forced to hear his cousins' romantic exploits, their discussions about which city has the best nightlife in all of England, and their experiences in Southampton's prestigious academy. 

Evan even talked about settling down with an economics student he met on an away day in Cambridge, while wondering if being in a long distance relationship is worth it.

I have no time to look for romance, for I only have my heart for one person.

Blaise was woken up from his daydream by the rhythmic singing of a famous rock song. It was not great, because the falsetto was terrible, but it was good enough to not irritate him this early in the morning. 

"Your high notes are complete ass." Blaise slapped the singer's back. 

The singer was surprised, and immediately stopped doing so, and hit back at him. 

"Fuck you, you're not supposed to hear that!" 

Cameron Okojo's stoic face had returned after a moment of embarrassment. He looked as if nothing weird and illogical  happened.

This shameless guy had mastered the art of a thick face.

"Yo, what's up with you two, why do you both look like idiots?" Terry Quinn snuck up on them and wrapped both his arms on their shoulders. "Happy New Year, good friends!"

"Shut up, you're too loud." Cameron hit him with an annoying remark.

"But you were loud a minute ago too…" Blaise muttered.

"Do you know that there's a welcome ceremony later for a transfer today?" Terry whispered to both of them. "I wonder who that guy is?"

"There's a press blackout so far, because of the whole takeover situation." Blaise said what's on his mind. "Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah mate, they're fixing up the conference room! I saw it with my own two eyes!"

"Aren't we under a transfer embargo?" Cameron shared his thoughts.

***

Inside the conference room.

"Sheffield United formally welcomes its new signing, former American international, and Premier League defender Jeremy Stanton! Welcome to the Blades, Jeremy!"

A rapt round of applause welcomed the experienced 32 year old American journeyman to the club. 

He was not only a former Premier League central defender, he also once captained the United States of America national team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. 

It was not only a marquee signing for the club, it was also a symbol of the club's intent to rise through the divisions.

The club chairman's smile was through the roof, completely hiding the fact that he was about to sell the club. He wasn't a billionaire by any means, but he was among the richest locals, and had run this club for two decades. Now, the club was under tens of millions of pounds of debt, and he had nowhere else to go. 

Good thing, a massive bid from an oil money prince came around, that includes clearing up all that debt, and a hefty profit. He had to sell.

After all, the club managed to sign a player of Stanton's caliber to a three year pact only because of the incoming owner's deep pockets, and ambition.

Sure, he's not the same defender he once was due to his age, and his extensive injury history, but his current ability remains a division above Sheffield. 

Plus, his popularity in the United States brings forth a wave of opportunities for Sheffield United in the future. 

For manager Steve Bronson though, this transfer posed nothing but new headaches for him to deal with.

He only knew of this transfer happening late last night, right when he's grilling steak and barbecue for the New Year's Eve celebrations in his residence.

He didn't sanction this transfer at all, nor did he appreciate the management going over his head to sign Stanton. There are a lot of terrible stories and open secrets about Stanton from his former managers, and teammates, after all.

He routinely talks trash of his teammates behind their backs, comes to training drunk, disrespects authority, clashes with staff, disobeys tactical arrangements, and is a terrible (borderline toxic) locker room presence. That's not all, he even has a covered up criminal record that included assault, and driving under the influence.

Now Steve Bronson has to shake hands with this guy, and give him a rousing reception in front of the gathered media. He knows a terrible transfer when he sees one, and although he made several failed transfers before, this one already gives him enough red flags to vomit.

But, as a football manager, he had to fit the new transfer into his plans somehow. 

Damn that outgoing chairman…

The club soon announced the transfer details to the press, and to the football world. 

Transfer listed center back Jeremy Stanton was signed from Derby County for a million pounds. Later that day, the club formally announced a takeover bid that had been accepted by the club's chairman, to be completed within the week.

As long as the takeover negotiations are ongoing, Sheffield United's top brass expects a transfer embargo within the next week or so.

So they got ahead and immediately registered Stanton, and finished transfer dealings on the very first day of the transfer window. 

It's a good thing that there's no further  significant transfer activity for the team.

It's a good day for new beginnings.