Blades boss Neil Warnock has long been an admirer of Akinbiyi

And the Blades added further cover up front with the capture of Bruce Dyer, 30, from Stoke on a free transfer.

Boss Neil Warnock said he had admired Akinbiyi for a long time - and admitted he had tried to sign him before.

"I didn't know I would have to have 18-month's worth of patience to get him - but the wait has been worthwhile," Warnock said.

Akinbiyi is among the leading scorers in the Championship this season with 12 league goals.

"Ade is a record signing for me and I'm ever so pleased. We're looking at quite a few years ahead as well," added Warnock.

"He's just the right type of lad I think we need at the club - which is already a very good squad."

On Dyer, Warnock added: "Bruce has a contribution to make and with the likes of Danny Webber out injured and Brian Deane stretching his hamstring the other day, I felt we were very thin on the ground.

"And in case there had been complications with Ade, I wanted Bruce."

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby has said he hopes to make most of the transfer money from the Akinbiyi sale available to boss Steve Cotterill for new players.

"The offer we had was too good to miss for us," he said.

"The big plus from the deal is that we now have money to recycle and strengthen the squad with.

"The vast majority of the money will be available to the manager for both fees and wages.

"We have several targets in place and we hope to try and bring them all in before the deadline."