In Lee Williamson the Blades have an experienced player at a good age with perhaps an even more necessary ingredient.

The 27 year old has become Kevin Blackwell's first new signing for next season and the United boss revealed that the former Watford man had set his sights on coming to the Lane, despite impressing on loan at Deepdale after Christmas:

"He did very well at Preston and there were one or two other clubs desperate to take him. There was real competition but he chose Sheffield United - he really wanted to come here."

Despite transfer talk about moves in and out of Bramall Lane Blackwell has steadfastly refused to get involved with speculation, but admits to being relieved that he has landed Williamson:

"It is always pleasing to get the first signing of the close season under your belt, particularly when it is an identified target that you bring in. We have kept an eye on him for a while.

"He is a dynamic sort of midfielder who can play centrally or wide and he gets box to box. There is a goal in him and he will add competition in there."