Wilder supported Sheffield United and played for the club in two spells

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has extended his contract with the Premier League club until 2024.

Wilder, 52, joined the Blades in 2016 and has guided them from League One into the English game's top flight.

The boyhood Blades fan was under contract until 2022 but both he and his assistant Alan Knill have signed new deals.

"Naturally, I'm delighted to sign a new deal until 2024 and commit to the club that is close to my heart," he said.

"We've had a great few years and hopefully we can continue the upward curve - let's see how far we can go on this journey."

Wilder spoke about the possibility of leaving the club in 2018 as a result of boardroom tension between joint owners Kevin McCabe and Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud that eventually led to a court hearing allowing the member of the Saudi royal family to take full ownership.

He has been widely praised for guiding the Bramall Lane club to eighth place in their first season back in the Premier League since 2006-07.

Prince Abdullah said: "Chris has played an integral role in our recent and current success and we want him at the helm in the future driving us forward, hence the new long-term contract.

"He is a dynamic leader, with whom the supporters connect and it is important we have someone of his stature leading this club on the field. January is a very important month but securing the signature of Chris was paramount and underpins all the plans we have for the next few years."

Before Friday's home game with West Ham, Wilder has a 51.4% win ratio with Sheffield United - his highest percentage in a career that has also seen him manage Northampton, Oxford United and Halifax Town.

Wilder, who played for Sheffield United between 1986 and 1992 and rejoined the club in 1998 for a second spell of just over a year, began his managerial career with Alfreton Town in 2001.