Former Ireland under-21 international Samir Carruthers signs for Sheffield United

Sheffield United have completed the signing of former Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Samir Carruthers from MK Dons.

The former Arsenal and Aston Villa trainee has spent the past three-and-a-half years in Milton Keynes, having initially joined on loan from Villa at the beginning of the 2013-14 season.

Carruthers made his Villa debut as a 19-year-old against Liverpool and made two further appearances, while he captained the under-19 side to the win that year's NextGen series, a precursor the UEFA Youth League.

The 23-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Bramall Lane after the Blades paid an undisclosed sum to MK Dons for his services.

"We have tracked and monitored Samir for some time and he is a player who can grow with us,” Blades manager Chris Wilder told the club's website.

“We are delighted that the Board have backed us with this level of investment. Samir is the right age, has a great pedigree from his time at Villa and MK and he is an exciting player.

“He is an attacking midfielder who can fit into a number of positions and we are looking forward to introducing him to our great group."

The Islington-born midfielder, who was also eligible to play for Italy and Morocco as well as England, has played for the Republic of Ireland from under-19 level.

He was a key member of Paul Doolin's squad that reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Championships in 2011 in Romania, losing out to eventual winners Spain.

He was part of Noel King's under-21 squad that failed to qualify for the 2015 UEFA European Championships, scoring twice in six appearances.