Stoke City Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of James Beattie from Sheffield United, for a fee which could rise to £3,500,000.

The 30 year old hitman has penned a two and a half year deal at the Britannia Stadium bringing an end to a hugely successful 18 month stay at Bramall Lane.

Beattie, capped by England in 2003, has already bagged 12 goals for the Blades this season, following on from the 22 he scored during the 2007/08 campaign to finish as the Championship's second highest scorer.

Announcing the news, Chief Executive Tony Scholes said: "We are absolutely delighted to have fought off competition from other top flight club's to secure James' signature.

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

An equally pleased Tony Pulis added: "James is a player who has an absolutely phenomenal goal scoring record and I am delighted to have him here.

"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."