Sheffield United football club, currently chasing promotion to the English Premiership from the first division, has announced plans to develop a £50m leisure centre.

The scheme would see the construction of the Blades Leisure Park – after the club’s nickname – adjacent to the club’s Bramall Lane stadium.

The club estimates the development could create up to 2,500 leisure jobs, as the new facility would include a 73,000sq ft casino, restaurants, pubs, a spa, a health club, a football museum and an indoor sports arena.

According to the club, chair, Kevin McCabe, has recently returned from a fact-finding mission from the US, where he has agreed initial terms with a ‘well-known international brand in the casino industry’.

He said: “The partner organisation has been talking to a number of football clubs in the UK about their plans to develop casinos, but regard us as the best opportunity they have.”

The club has secured a provisional planning approval for a leisure development and casino.

According to its website, the club is preparing to finalise a deal with the mystery US partner next month. Details: www.sufc.co.uk