Blades let unhappy Britton go to free up wage bill

Britton had expressed a desire to move back to Wales for personal reasons but had also struggled to make an impact with the Blades.

Manager Micky Adams said: "Leon is a good player but, sometimes, moves just don't come off and it isn't anyone's fault. He had established his life in Swansea and his girlfriend still lives there. They have found things quite difficult and we have to respect his private life."

Britton, 28, had been hailed as a major signing by the Blades last summer but, after three changes in management, did not ideally suit the needs of new manager Adams.

"I have only been here for four games so I will have to let other people decide how successful he has been," said Adams. "But I would think that he has to play in a team that plays in a certain way. When I have put out a team that plays 4-4-2, Leon hasn't been selected. Other managers before me have played him in different ways but, when I came here, we were in the bottom four or five, so something wasn't working."

The Blades have received an undisclosed fee from Swansea and the removal of Britton from the wage bill frees up money for Adams to bolster his squad before the end of the January transfer window.

Barnsley manager Mark Robins last night signed Bristol City striker Danny Haynes on a two-and-a-half year deal for a fee believed to be around 200,000, after winger Adam Hammill completed a 600,000 move to Wolves.

Hammill, 22, was also wanted by Blackpool and Nottingham Forest and had been entitled to leave Oakwell thanks to a get out clause in his contract. Hammill has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Wolves and could make his Premier League debut against former club Liverpool this weekend.

"We wish Adam all the best because he has done well for this football club to get his move," said Robins. "He has been given an unbelievable opportunity to play at the highest level and that should be something that every one of our players should aspire to. Danny (Haynes) is young, and a little raw at times, but he is also lightning quick and proven at this level."

Defender Matt Hill, on loan from Wolves for the last three months, has agreed to join Barnsley on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

Rotherham United striker Tom Pope is set to reject Macclesfield and Burton Albion to join his hometown club Port Vale.