The 25-year-old has initially signed for the Blades on loan after a fee of £200,000 was agreed between the two South Yorkshire clubs, but the transfer will be made permanent when a further £300,00 changes hands in January when the transfer window opens – other clauses including sell-on fees are also part of the deal.

Howard originally signed for Barnsley on a free transfer from Swindon in 2005 and went on to score 27 goals for the club in 121 appearances.

After being named Barnsley Player of the Year in the 2006/7 season he went on to become club captain earlier this year, playing an integral part in the club's phenomenal FA Cup run that saw them dispose of Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea before succumbing to Cardiff City in the semi-finals.

Despite his former loyalty to the Tykes, Howard revealed he was glad to get the drawn-out move done and dusted.

"It took a while but I'm delighted it's done," he told Sheffield United's official website. "I've not signed here just for the sake of switching clubs, I want to win promotion to the Premiership and I believe that will happen here.

"The club is all geared up for that and it's a great squad.

"Straight away you notice the team spirit here and there are some great characters in the changing room."

Howard rejected a contract offer from Barnsley that would have made him the highest paid player at the club and the transfer has left a bitter taste in the mouth for many Tykes followers.

The former Southampton trainee will be spared a return trip to Oakwell this season due to a clause in the loan deal that prevents him playing against his old club until the transfer is made permanent.

But Howard is keen to look forward rather than dwell on the past, and hopes his good recent form will continue at Bramall Lane.

He said: "I played for England at youth level but it is only in the last couple of years that I have hit top form and performed to a consistent level – I want to improve even further here.

"Hopefully the pressure I will be under will see me rise to it and make me a better player."

Howard was given a warm welcome at United's Shirecliffe training ground on Friday, with a couple of familiar faces pleased to see him arrive.

He was in the same Southampton youth team as Blades striker James Beattie and played alongside Darius Henderson at Swindon.

"Beatts was the top scorer at Southampton for a few years and I was coming through the youth team at that time – he's a real character and was good to me," Howard said.

"I have kept in close contact with him since then really.