Sheffield United seal £3m Evans transfer

Sheffield United have signed striker Ched Evans from Manchester City in a deal which could cost up to £3m.

The 20-year-old, a product of the City academy, made five league and cup starts for Mark Hughes' side last season having previously spent a successful campaign on loan at Norwich.

However, following this summer's arrival of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz - in addition to the presence of Robinho, Craig Bellamy, Benjani Mwaruwari and Valeri Bojinov - his first-team chances looked very limited for the coming season.

The Wales international has, therefore, decided to drop back down to the Coca-Cola Championship in an attempt to get regular football.

The Blades have agreed a deal which will see the fee eventually rise to £3million for the Wales international with an additional sell-on clause.

"Everyone at City wishes Ched a successful future," said a statement from the Eastlands club.

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell fought off considerable competition to sign Evans, whom he believes will be a huge success at Bramall Lane.

"He's a young striker and we are delighted to have won the race for him because there was significant interest in him from two Premiership clubs and two from the Championship," he told sufc.co.uk.

"We think the lad has a bright future. He is still maturing, still learning the game, so there is more developmental mileage in him which will benefit this club in the long term as well.

"With plenty of first-team experience for City in the UEFA Cup last season he is an exciting prospect and City were reluctant to let him go."