Sheffield United Football Club News

• Nickname:The blades
• Founded:1889
• Manager:Danny Wilson

• Ground:Bramall Lane
• Capacity:30,945

Blades finally land Howard

03 Oct 2008 - 07:24:09

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Sheffield United have finally completed the loan signing of Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard, with a permanent deal to be completed in the new year.

The 25-year-old has not featured for the Tykes since the goalless draw at Southampton, with the Blades having claimed to have agreed a deal earlier this week.

However, the Oakwell club denied that that was the case, although they have now sanctioned the exit of Howard.

A tersely worded statement from Barnsley read: "On Monday, Brian Howard confirmed that he does not wish to discuss a new contract with the club and wishes to move on to a new football challenge.

"Further to our statement on Tuesday, the club has now received a formal response from Brian Howard's agent that his client does not wish to consider any alternative offers that might be put to him from other clubs and wishes only to join Sheffield United.

"The club has agreed a loan fee of £200,000 for the services of Brian Howard and a further £300,000 will be paid when his transfer is completed in due course.

"Other improved conditional payments have been agreed based on Sheffield United's original offer, including sell-on arrangements.

"There has been speculation that Barnsley FC had previously turned down offers from other clubs during the summer. This is categorically untrue.

"With the exception of two offers made this week, no other club throughout Brian Howard's career with Barnsley FC has ever made an offer for him."