Yorke signs deal as Blades take Halford (From The Northern Echo)

Yorke signs deal as Blades take Halford

9:18am Thursday 3rd July 2008 in

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DWIGHT YORKE will be heading back to pre-season training with Sunderland next week, but Greg Halford's future remains away from Wearside.

After confirming that Yorke has turned down other offers' to sign a one-year extension with the Black Cats, manager Roy Keane has allowed Halford to depart for a second loan spell.

After a disappointing first year at the Stadium of Light, Keane would have preferred to have sold a player he paid Reading £3.5m for 12 months ago.

But, after failing to finalise a move to Charlton after finishing last season on loan at The Valley, Halford has secured another temporary switch away from Sunderland to Sheffield United.

The 23-year-old is trying to remain upbeat about his failings at Sunderland and is intent on rebuilding his career at Bramall Lane, where manager Kevin Blackwell is looking to deliver promotion from the Championship.

"I struggled to get games at Sunderland and then I went to London and played 14 consecutive games," said Blackwell.

"It is nice to play and that is what I want to do to show my potential."

It is unlikely that Halford will ever play for Sunderland again, with Keane clearly against giving the 24-year-old a chance after such a frustrating first season in the North-East.

But the Irishman has had no hesitation in handing former Manchester United teammate Yorke an extended stay at Sunderland.

The 36-year-old, who will be 37 by the time his new contract expires, has been mulling over the offer since the end of the season.

And, despite an offer to return to Australia to play for Central Coast Mariners, Yorke has decided to have another year in the Premier League and he will start his 20th pre-season training programme on July 11.

"It has been a tremendous two years for me at Sunderland,"

said Yorke, who was one of Keane's first signings in August 2006.

"I've got to know the players and the staff and the fans have been great to me.

"In the end, it was a straightforward decision.

"I had one or two things to think about and I knew I needed to make a decision. Once the manager gave me the thumbs up, it was easy to sign."

Keane is equally happy to have retained Yorke's character around the training ground and there is a chance he will be handed a coaching role next summer.

"Yorkie's experience, on and off the pitch, has been invaluable to us," said Keane.

"He's a great character to have in the dressing room and around the training ground and he'll have a part to play for us next season."

Ian Harte, meanwhile, is wanted by Watford after being released by Keane at the end of last season.

■ Hull have completed the signing of former Derby striker Craig Fagan on a three-year contract.

The 25-year-old, who has returned for a second spell with the club which he left in 2007, has moved to the KC Stadium in a £750,000 deal.

Fagan spent the final part of last season on loan with the Tigers and helped guide them to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Former boss Paul Jewell said: I don't think it's any secret that Craig wanted to make his deal permanent and I believe it's a deal that benefits all parties involved."