SHEFFIELD United beat-off competition from Fulham, Birmingham City and Wolves to unveil Darius Henderson as their third major signing of the summer.
Henderson, who has cost Kevin Blackwell's side an initial £2m, put pen to paper on a four year contract just hours after it was revealed that James Beattie is a major doubt for next month's Championship curtain-raiser at St Andrews.
But The Star can reveal that a deal for the Watford centre-forward was first agreed in principle midway through United's pre-season tour of Europe last week, suggesting that United believe he can form an effective partnership with the former England international.
Fears that Beattie could miss the trip to the Midlands accelerated United's efforts to capture a player who scored 13 times last season and Blackwell moved swiftly when it emerged that Roy Hodgson, his counterpart at Craven Cottage, was poised to enter the race.
"I'm delighted to be back in the north," said the 26-year-old from Doncaster. "This is a terrific club and a great place to play football.
"I'm really excited and I can't wait to get started."
Beattie has undergone a "routine operation" to repair damage to his knee and could return to action within three to four weeks.
However, with United's medical staff yet to deliver a conclusive verdict on his chances, Henderson represents a valuable insurance policy for a club expected to mount a strong challenge for promotion.
Desperate to avoid the possibility of being gazumped, United refused to comment on reports that Henderson was set to join Greg Halford and Sun Jihai in South Yorkshire until his transfer was finally ratified at 5pm yesterday.
"Darius has already shown that he's a force to be reckoned with," Blackwell said. "I wanted to give us more of a physical, aggressive edge up there and he's just the man to do it."
Beattie entered a private facility last week for a simple procedure designed to clean out his joint but United chose not to reveal the development until after their return from Holland.
Feyenoord youngster Diego Biseswar has joined United on trial while Ben Starosta has agreed a month long loan at League Two newcomers Aldershot. Meanwhile, United are believed to be on the verge of unveiling their new shirt sponsor.
Click here to watch highlights of the Blades match at StocksbridgeWhat do you think? Post your comments below. READ MOREBryan Robson returns to Bramall Lane Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 443 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
