Defender signs as Warnock waits for cash injection

The 33-year-old free agent’s capture brings to an end a frustrating few weeks for the United manager after his attempts to sign Portsmouth full-back Joel Ward floundered, allowing Crystal Palace to nip in with a successful £400,000 bid.

Since then, ongoing talks designed to secure investment in Leeds have meant any transfer dealings – including moves to take QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and Derby County midfielder Paul Green to Elland Road – having to be put on hold.

The Yorkshire Post understands those discussions over a cash injection have been progressing positively, something that has allowed Warnock to tentatively step up his rebuilding plans.

As a result, the United chief flew into Leeds on Monday from his family home in Cornwall and spent the rest of the day locked in talks with a couple of targets and their respective agents.

Confirmation of Drury’s capture was a direct consequence of those meetings, while another signing – again on a Bosman free transfer – could follow before the end of the week.

In terms of bringing in players for a fee, however, it is believed Warnock will have to be more patient with talks over possible investment in the club needing to come to fruition before the necessary funds can be released.

Provided that does happen, United’s first move will be to sign Kenny who, as revealed in this newspaper last week, wants his future resolved by the end of this month.

That stance was reiterated yesterday by sources close to the Halifax-born goalkeeper, who it is believed has been priced at £500,000 by Rangers.

On Drury, Warnock said: “I tried to sign him at Sheffield United a few years back but it wasn’t to be. I have kept my eye on him since and I believe he will love it here.”

United’s only other signing this summer is Jason Pearce, who joined from Portsmouth in a £500,000 deal after Warnock beat off several rival bidders.