Video: Defender James Wilson impresses enough to earn deal at Sheffield United

Oldham Athletic's James Wilson has been signed on a two-year deal by Sheffield United. Picture by Tony Johnson

The 27-year-old has spurned interest in from elsewhere to join the Blades after rejecting a new deal with the Latics, with Rochdale, Leyton Orient and Shrewsbury Town among several sides interested.

Chepstow-born Wilson has previously played in the Championship with Bristol City and made his senior Wales debut in a 1-1 draw with Belgium in 2013.

He made 46 appearances for Oldham last term.

On bringing in 6ft 2in Wilson, Wilder, who is keen on bringing in another two or three central defenders to boost his numbers which remain thin in that area, said: “James has been in with us for a week and we wanted to have a good look at him.

“Our recruitment has to be spot on in all aspects of the game and I am not just going to get household names - but players who will make us better in terms of the way we play and their attitude and desire to come in and do well.

“James will battle it out for a position at centre-half. We have talked about the players playing the way we want to play and being mobile and athletic and he’s certainly that.

“Athletic and mobile centre-halves are quite hard to find and we want to get high up the pitch and he’s decent on the ball.”

Wilson is Wilder’s third pre-season signing following the earlier captures of Burton winger Mark Duffy and Bury full-back Chris Hussey.