AFC Wimbledon sign James Hanson from Sheffield United

AFC Wimbledon have signed former Bradford target man James Hanson from Sheffield United.

The 30-year-old, who played in the Blades' promotion side a year ago, will add an option the Wimbledon forward line have been missing since the departure of Tom Elliott to Millwall in 2017.

Manager Neal Ardley said: "We've long been admirers of James. But he's always been that sort of player who's out of our range.

"I've spoken to (Sheffield United manager) Chris Wilder and he said that James massively helped them to promotion that season.

"We've got some really good attacking players with good movement and we're looking to sign some young, hungry, energetic players, but you do need know-how in that position.

"We fully intend to play as much as we can to him, to try and play attacking football, and get at teams.

"One thing we missed last season was that we got into some great positions, but we probably lacked the belief of knowing that we would get on the end of balls into the box.

"Sometimes target men score 10 to 15 goals, but like Tom Elliott when he was with us, they play a part in another 20 or 30 goals because they cause bedlam."

Hanson failed to find the net in 18 loan appearances for Bury last season, but has scored 92 career goals, all but one of which came in his 330 appearances for Bradford.

His only Sheffield United goal came on his debut against Wimbledon in February 2017 - having already scored twice in Bradford's 3-2 win at Kingsmeadow earlier that season.

Hanson's arrival comes amid growing interest in Dons striker Lyle Taylor from several League One rivals, with Ardley on record saying he does not expect him to be an AFC Wimbledon player next season.