Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has signed defenders Sun Jihai and Greg Halford to strengthen his team for next season in the Coca-Cola Championship.

China international Sun, 30, joins on a free transfer and has signed a two-year deal after reaching the end of his contract at Manchester City, where he spent six seasons.

Halford, 23, arrives at Bramall Lane on a season-long loan from Sunderland, having finished last term on loan at Charlton.

He cost Sunderland £3.5million last summer but failed to establish himself in Black Cats manager Roy Keane's team.