Sheff Utd gs 'driven by data' - Bettis

Sheffield United's two permanent transfer deadline day gs came off the back of work with data experts, says chief executive Stephen Bettis.

The Blades completed deals for winger Christian Nwachukwu from Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv and striker Jefferson Caceres, who has arrived from FBC Melgar in his Peruvian homeland.

"There was a discussion about long-term planning and bringing in some young players who, with the right coach and the right development, could hopefully push on and become real assets for the football club," Bettis told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"This was real data-driven stuff, which is nothing new, but we had a weakness in that area historically, and it's something we wanted to look into and try to progress with."

Sheffield United were taken over by American-based consortium COH Sports in December, and Bettis said they had a big part to play in the gs.

"With the of the owners and the people they know, we're working with a group who work with data that highlights young talent that potentially has the ability to push on and become really good players.

"A handful of players were highlighted, and we went around the clubs and inquired about them, and when we thought the value was right, and the pricing was right, we made moves to sign them, and that's what's happened with these two."