SWINDON Town's League One rivals Sheffield United have appointed Nigel Adkins as the club's new manager.

Former Scunthorpe, Southampton and Reading boss Adkins, 50, was unveiled as the Blades' eighth manager in as many years at a press conference at joint club owner Kevin McCabe's London office in Mayfair today.

Adkins has signed a three-year contract and replaces Nigel Clough, who was sacked along with his six-man coaching staff nine days ago following the club's Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final defeat to Swindon.

Andy Crosby has been confirmed as assistant manager and Dean Wilkins as first-team coach.

Town boss Mark Cooper was reported in some quarters to have been among the candidates to replace Clough at Bramall Lane, although Adkins was the long-time favourite and sources told the Adver they were unaware of any contact with the County Ground chief.

Bradford boss Phil Parkinson and out-going Brentford manager Mark Warburton had also been among those linked with the job.

The Blades had an approach to talk with Parkinson turned down last week and it is understood the South Yorkshire club were not willing to trigger the get-out clause on the Bradford boss's contract, which has a year left to run.

Adkins, out of work for just under six months after being sacked by Reading in December 2014, said his "end-goal" is promotion to the Premier League.

He has a proven track record, having twice guided Scunthorpe to the Championship and led Southampton to successive promotions from League One to the Premier League in 2012.