Benjamin Whiteman

Benjamin Whiteman (born 17 June 1996) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Championship club Preston North End.

In addition playing as an attacking midfield, Whiteman describe himself as a box-to-box midfielder.

Club Career

Sheffield United

Whiteman came through the youth ranks at Manchester United until he was released at sixteen before being offered a scholarship. He joined Sheffield United and was assigned to the U18s side and then later the U21s side. At the end of the 2013–14 season, Whiteman signed his first professional contract with the club.

Whiteman was called up to the first team on 18 November 2014 by Nigel Clough against Crewe in the FA Cup, coming on as an 88th minute substitute for Stefan Scougall in a 2–0 win. However, this turned out to be his only first team appearance, with the player returning to the Under-21's. At the end of the season, he opted to take up the offer of a contract extension that would ensure he remained under contract for the 2015–16 season.

After impressing again in the development squad and with Nigel Adkins' pledge to play more youth players in the starting XI, Whiteman was called up to the first team on 1 March 2016 in the Blades' home league game against Burton Albion and was named on the bench, however he couldn't prevent his team losing 1–0, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Paul Coutts wearing the number 36 jersey. Whiteman kept his spot in the matchday squad but was an unused substitute in a 2–2 draw away against Fleetwood. He started against Oldham on 12 March 2016, where he set up the first two goals in a 3–0 victory. After being included in a number of first team matches towards the end of the season, Whiteman signed a contract extension with the club. By the end of the 2015–16 season, he had made six appearances.

In the 2016–17 season, he was determined to make a first team breakthrough under manager Chris Wilder. He was eventually promoted to the first team ahead of