Danny Higginbotham joins Sheffield United

Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham has joined Sheffield United on a free transfer.

Higginbotham had been on loan at Ipswich Town and an extension had been agreed, but the 34-year-old decided against it and wanted to move closer to home on a more permanent basis.

The defender has now signed a six-month deal in Sheffield and will make his debut in their match today against Doncaster Rovers.

Higginbotham, who had not appeared for Stoke since December 2011, has an option to extend his contract in Sheffield at the end of the season.