Walsall let Darryl Westlake go to Sheffield United

Walsall have agreed a fee with Sheffield United for Darryl Westlake – allowing the right-back to pen a two-year contract with the Blades.

The Saddlers insisted they would play hardball over Westlake and rejected United's first offer but have come to an undisclosed agreement.

Westlake made 78 appearances for the Saddlers in three years but rejected a new deal in the summer to link up with Walsall's League One rivals as a replacement for Matt Lowton – who joined Aston Villa for £3m.

He said: "It's a team with ambition. They were unlucky not to get into the Championship last season (losing the play-off final on penalties to Huddersfield) and I've come wanting to play in the Championship. This is the right club to come and join. Everyone's heads are still high and want to put the past behind them.

"It was a great move for Matt and that's where I want to get to – the Premier League."

The money adds to boss Dean Smith's budget with chief executive Stefan Gamble confirming any money generated from football would be handed to Smith.

The manager is expected to make decisions on his trialists soon as he moulds a squad for the season – which starts with Brentford's visit in the Capital One Cup on August 11.

Smith is looking at ex-Hull defender Joe Lamplough, former Birmingham trainee Ashley Sammons and ex-Manchester United starlet Febian Brandy.

He is also running the rule over former Hungary international Thomas Sowunmi who is available after leaving Hungarian side BFC Siófok.

The 33-year-old, who played 10 times for his country, and made six appearances for Hibernian, scoring once, during a brief spell in Scotland in 2007.

Ex-Leeds left-back Ben Parker is also on the Saddlers' radar and Smith has spoken to the 24-year-old but is yet to take his interest further.

A Saddlers XI also go to Pelsall Villa tonight (7.30pm) after their trip to Sporting Khalsa was called off last week due to a waterlogged pitch.