The deed is finally done: Jon Ashton has signed for United on a free transfer following the end of his one month loan spell. Unsurprisingly, given the defender’s potential rise in value, Leicester City have insisted on including a sell-on clause in the contract.

Unusually for new contracts nowadays, the deal is for two years, which is indicative of United’s belief that Ashton will be as valuable to them next season even if the club gets promoted. Indeed, many United supporters believe that Ashton could walk into a First Division team and not look out of place.

United haven’t lost a game in which Ashton has played, and the former Leicester man has proven a perfect complement to captain Andy Crosby and left-footer Matt Bound. Ashton’s arrival gives the Us an embarrassment of riches in central defence, with Paul McCarthy still to come back from injury and Dave Waterman just recently recovered. It will be interesting to see Ian Atkins’ first choice line-up once everyone is fit.