Billy Sharp has completed his move from Saints to Leeds.

Saints have also received an undisclosed fee for the striker, reported to be around £450,000, as Sharp moves to Elland Road on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old striker joined for £1.8m in January 2012 but has had a string of loan spells.

Sharp was signed by Nigel Adkins at the very end of the transfer window in January 2012, the pair having previously worked together at Scunthorpe.

The striker, who started his career at Sheffield United, was recruited to provide extra firepower as Saints tried to press home their advantage and secure promotion from the Championship.

He delivered exactly that as Sharp plundered nine goals in just 15 appearances to help Saints climb back into the Premier League.

However, his joy was short lived as promotion proved to be the death knell for his chances at Saints.

Since then Sharp has been overlooked by successive managers, figuring just twice for Saints in the top flight.

He spent the 2012/13 season on loan at Nottingham Forest before last season splitting his time between Reading and Doncaster.

It is understood that a number of clubs have already enquired about Sharp’s availability and the news that he could leave on a free is sure to trigger a rush to secure his services before the transfer window closes.

Sharp’s career stats show a striker who has scored 146 goals in 341 appearances while even at Saints, where chances have been limited, he has notched ten goals in 18 appearances.