Blades to Tie up Chinese star

China international Li Tie will join Sheffield United next week after being granted a work permit.

The 28-year-old midfielder was released by Everton at the end of last season following an unhappy campaign plagued by injury.

But United quickly moved in and he will become manager Neil Warnock’s fifth capture of the summer.

Warnock has already signed Mikele Leigertwood, David Sommeil, Christian Nade and Claude Davis, with the latter also today granted a work permit.