• SHEFFIELD United have beaten League One rivals Shrewsbury Town and Rochdale, as well as Leyton Orient, to the signature of former Wales international James Wilson.

Defender Wilson, who earned a single cap for Wales in a world cup qualifying clash with Belgium in October 2013, turned down a new contract at Oldham Athletic.

The 27-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Blades and becomes manager Chris Wilder’s third summer signing.

Wilder told United’s official website: “James is an athletic, mobile centre-half and knows this division.

“He turned down a contract at Oldham and had other options but we’ve had him with us for a few days, had a good look at him, and he will be a good addition to our squad.”

  • SWINDON Town's A420 rivals Oxford United have made former Plymouth Argyle captain Curtis Nelson their sixth signing of the summer.

The 23-year-old, who led Argyle to the League Two play-off final last season, joins Oxford as a free agent but the U’s will be required to pay compensation to Plymouth, which will be set by a tribunal.

Nelson has signed a two-year deal with Oxford, with the club having the option of extending that contract by a further year.

  • COVENTRY City have snapped up former Great Britain international striker Marvin Sordell.

The 25-year-old, who played alongside the likes of Ryan Giggs and Daniel Sturridge at the London 2012 Olympics, was a free agent after being released by relegated Colchester United at the end of last season.

Former Watford and Bolton man Sordell has penned a one-year deal at the Ricoh Arena, with the club retaining an option of a further year.

  • RECENTLY-relegated Bolton Wanderers have signed defender Mark Beevers on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old, who has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Macron Stadium, had left Millwall following the expiration of his contract with the London club.

Millwall chief Neil Harris was keen to retain the defender’s services but said that Yorkshire-born Beevers was keen on a move closer to home.

Wanderers have also handed a two-year contract to midfielder Chris Taylor after the midfielder was released by local rivals Blackburn Rovers at the end of last term.

  • BRADFORD City have bolstered their transfer network by appointing Cambridge United head of recruitment Greg Abbott as their new chief scout whilst Millwall have signed youngster Paul Rooney from Irish club Bohemians, with the teenager going in to their development squad.