Brian Howard joined Reading just before the transfer window closed.

The paperwork for the transfer was sent off to the football authorities before Tuesday's 5pm deadline but was not fully processed until Thursday morning.

The midfielder, 26, has been allowed to return to the south to continue his career after less than a year at Bramall Lane.

Howard has signed for Championship rivals Reading for an undisclosed fee with United recouping the money paid to Barnsley in January.

Including Howard, a total of five players left Bramall Lane on transfer deadline day with Leigh Bromby (Leeds), David Carney (FC Twente), Lee Hendrie (Derby) and Billy Sharp (Doncaster, loan) all moving out.