"We've tracked him for a while, and he arrives with the added endorsement from the likes of Keith Andrews and Jack Lester who are two individuals we know and respect from their time working here," Wilder said.
"They obviously rate him highly because they've utilised him in the Premier League last season, so that's testament to his ability and potential."
The 19-year-old, capped by England at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level, made nine appearances in all competitions for Brentford last season after a permanent move from Birmingham City was completed in June 2025, having initially arrived at the club on loan.
Wilder sees the loan as the next logical step in a career that has so far combined senior experience with time in the Premier League. "He's an exciting player with a bright future and we're delighted to have been entrusted with the next stage of his development," he said. "This is a great opportunity and having spoken with the lad I know he's keen to take it with both hands."
Birmingham-born, Donovan made his senior debut for his hometown club in the Championship as a 16-year-old in 2023, going on to make 10 appearances that season. A loan to League One's Burton Albion followed in 2024-25, yielding nine outings before it was cut short that December.
Brentford moved for him shortly afterwards, initially on loan with an option to buy, before making the deal permanent the following summer.
With senior Championship football now the priority, the move to Sheffield United gives Donovan the platform to build on the pedigree that has already caught the eye of both his current and future coaching staffs, and offers him a fuller run of games than he was able to secure in west London last season.