Stoke snap up Beattie

The 30-year-old former Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Everton player, who has scored 12 goals this season for Championship side United, agreed a two and a half year deal with Premier League strugglers Stoke.

"James is a player who has an absolutely phenomenal goal-scoring record and I am delighted to have him here," manager Tony Pulis told the club's official website. "He has averaged more than a goal every other game for Sheffield and he has a proven record of scoring in the top flight. He is someone I have admired for a very, very long time.

"We have signed two fantastic players in Matthew Etherington and James Beattie - but we are still looking for two or three more before the closure of the window."

Chief executive Tony Scholes added: "We are absolutely delighted to have fought off competition from other top-flight clubs to secure James' signature.

"He is a proven goalscorer with international and Premier League experience - and by signing a player like him, it shows how far this club has progressed."

Beattie, who made his England debut in a friendly against Australia in 2003, won five caps but fell out of international favour during a disappointing spell at Everton.

The Lancaster-born forward began his career at Blackburn Rovers, where he graduated up from the youth ranks.

However, after failing to score in any of his eight appearances during his three years on Rovers' books, he moved to Southampton in July 1998 for a £1 million fee.

He made his name at the Saints, and he ended the 2002-03 season with 23 league goals and an FA Cup final appearance.

After his 2005 move to Everton proved unsuccessful, Beattie moved to Sheffield United two years later and rediscovered his scoring touch.

Beattie leaves the Blades having scored 34 goals in 65 appearances, 12 of those coming this season.