Blades seal Leigertwood move

Sheffield United have completed the signing of Mikele Leigertwood from Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old has penned a three-year deal with The Blades after rejecting the offer of a new deal at Selhurst Park.

He was available on a free transfer but United have agreed to pay Palace a compensation package worth £600,000 due to his young age.

Manager Neil Warnock has been steadily strengthening his squad over the summer and is delighted to add Leigertwood to fellow new recruits David Sommeil, Claude Davis and Christian Nade.

Warnock feels that Leigertwood's versatility will be a major weapon in The Premiership, and intends to exploit his qualities to the full.

"He's a player I've been interested in for a long time," Warnock told Sheffield United's official website.

"He's had experience of playing in The Premiership with Crystal Palace and he can play a number of positions.

"He can anchor midfield and has played both full back positions or as a centre half in the top flight.

"It is great to have another utility player available to us, especially as we don't know what our numbers will be like by the time the season starts."

Leigertwood has admitted that it was a big decision to leave Palace but is relishing the prospect of playing in The Premiership again.

"It's a big step moving away from my family in London but I'm pretty sure I can adapt to it," he commented.

"I'm really looking forward to starting pre-season training.

"I was lucky enough to play top-flight football with Palace a couple of seasons ago, when I made about 20 first team appearances.

"Hopefully I can bring that experience to United this season."