Crystal Palace have agreed a compensation package for Leigertwood

Leigertwood was out of contract at Crystal Palace, but the Blades agreed a �600,000 development compensation package for the 23-year-old.

After spending two-and-a-half years at Selhurst Park, Leigertwood has signed a three-year deal at Bramall Lane.

He follows David Sommeil, Claude Davis and Christian Nade as manager Neil Warnock's new recruits.

Leigertwood admitted he was surprised to be leaving Selhurst Park, where he played at centre-back, right-back and midfield.

"I wasn't expecting to move to Sheffield, but it's happened and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I had discussed a contract at Palace, but things didn't go right with the way I was treated. United came in and so I opted to come here.

"When I spoke to the manager he didn't have to sell the club to me. I'm going to be playing Premiership football again and that was a major factor in my decision.

It is great to have another utility player available to us Neil Warnock

"There was interest from other clubs, but Sheffield showed the most, and after speaking to the manager and my family, we decided to move here.

"It's a big step for me moving away from my family, but I'm sure I'll adapt."

Warnock was delighted to have got his man and said: "He's a player I've been interested in for a long time. He's had experience of playing in the Premiership with Palace and he can play in a number of positions.

"It is great to have another utility player available to us, especially as we don't know what our numbers will be like by the time the season starts."

Leigertwood said he would play wherever he was told to, but was hopeful he could nail down one position as his own.