Sheffield United sign ex-Portsmouth striker Dave Kitson

Dave Kitson has joined League One side Sheffield United on a short-term deal, a month after leaving Portsmouth.

The 32-year-old striker will stay at Bramall Lane until 31 December.

Kitson was one of the final players to negotiate the release from his contract with cash-strapped Pompey, as they looked to offload their entire squad.

He arrives on the day midfielders Stephen Quinn and Nick Montgomery left the Blades to join Hull and Central Coast Mariners respectively.

"It is not very often you come across a quality and experienced player like Dave in these circumstances," Blades boss Danny Wilson told the club website.

"It is fantastic that he wants to come to us. Dave has been to a few of our games recently and our performances have convinced him to join us. He feels he can contribute."

After beginning his career in non-league football, Kitson made his name at Reading, helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2006.

Stoke City paid a club-record £5.5m to sign him following their promotion to the top flight two years later, but scored just five times in 40 appearances for the Potters before joining Pompey.

He will link up again with another former Stoke striker, Richard Cresswell, who signed a new contract with United on Thursday.