Town have announced the signing of Jon Stead on loan from Sheffield United until January. The deal could become permanent depending on how the loan progresses and a fee has been agreed between the clubs.

Stead, 25, started his career with hometown club Huddersfield as a teenager, where 24 goals in 62 starts and 14 sub appearances led to a £1.25 million move to Blackburn Rovers in January of 2004.

After 18 months at Ewood Park the former England U21 international – 11 games, one goal – joined Sunderland for £1.8 million, having fallen out of favour under Mark Hughes's management.

A promising start with the Lancashire club had been followed by a spell when goals were hard to come by, but overall the 6ft 3in tall frontman managed eight goals in 33 starts and 14 appearances from the bench.

Stead failed to impress at Sunderland, netting only twice in 26 starts and 14 games from the bench and in October 2006 went out on loan to Derby, where he scored three times in 15 starts and two sub appearances.

In January 2007, Sheffield United paid Sunderland £750,000 for his services, Stead scoring 11 goals in 28 starts and 15 sub appearances while at Bramall Lane.

Stead will join up with the squad tomorrow, the clubs having agreed the deal earlier today.

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