Sheffield United finally get their hands on Bury's Leon Clarke

Sheffield United have signed forward Leon Clarke from Bury for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old has signed a three year contract at Bramall Lane after the Blades made a second offer which the Shakers could not refuse.

"Once Leon expressed an interest in speaking to Sheffield United we had to make sure we got the best possible deal for the football club, which I believe we have achieved," Bury manager David Flitcroft told the club's website.

The striker leaves Bury after signing for them on a free transfer last summer, having scored 18 goals in 37 appearances, and his departure was referred to by Flitcroft as a "fantastic profit".

He said: "Leon came to us 12 months ago on a free transfer and leaves us after Sheffield United matched our valuation of the player. This undisclosed deal represents a fantastic profit for the club in just 12 months."

Clarke added: "The challenge of playing at a big club again who are promotion favourites were ultimately major factors in my decision to want to join Sheffield United."

Blades boss Chris Wilder is delighted to have secured Clarke's signature.

"He is widely recognised as one of the top centre forwards in the division and he will complement what we already have in our strikeforce," he told the Blade's official website.

"We have youth, legs, ability, pace and experience and all can score goals. Leon is experienced and knows the division very well, he we will lead the line and the added bonuses are that he is a good character and still has the desire to achieve."