Ched Evans rejoins Sheffield United on three-year contract

Ched Evans has re-signed for Sheffield United on a three-year contract.

The 28-year-old striker, who spent three years at Bramall Lane between 2009 and 2012, rejoins the Blades from Chesterfield for an undisclosed fee which Sky sources say is in the region of £500,000.

Evans was released by the club after he was convicted of rape in 2012.

That conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal last April and he was found not guilty at a retrial in October. He had served two-and-a-half years of a five-year prison sentence.

"I am delighted to be back," said Evans, who passed a medical last week. "I still feel I have plenty to prove in football both at club and international level and I believe I can achieve those goals at United, playing in front of the terrific fans whose support I have always appreciated.

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"I am very grateful to Chesterfield, the board and football management for giving me an opportunity to return to the game. It is just disappointing that it has come in a season which has seen the club suffer relegation. I would like to thank the Chesterfield fans who made me feel so welcome."

Blades boss Chris Wilder, who led the club to the League One title with 100 points this season, said: "The signing is just one element of the plans we have drawn up for next season.

Ched comes to us with targets to achieve along the way. With a full pre-season with us, we believe he can provide us with options up front and score goals.

"We have done our homework on the player. We pride ourselves on team spirit - as the fans have seen this season - and plan to bring in players who can be part of that.

"Ched comes to us with targets to achieve along the way. With a full pre-season with us, we believe he can provide us with options up front and score goals."

Evans scored seven goals for Chesterfield this season, 28 shy of the 35 he hit in the last season of his first Blades spell.