Defender Rob Kozluk has returned to Sheffield United on a one-year deal after his release by Barnsley. The former Derby trainee, who turns 33 in August, spent eight years at Bramall Lane before leaving for Barnsley in 2007. Kozluk made 75 Championship appearances for United's local rivals but he was not offered a new deal at Oakwell when his contract expired at the end of last season. He joined up with the Blades during pre-season training and has now secured a permanent return to the club. "We know all about Kozzy," said Blades boss Kevin Blackwell. "I have got to bring players in to build a squad and he's only too happy to come back. He will play a role for us." Blackwell confirmed the club are still waiting for a specialist's report on new loan signing Simon Walton's knee scan after he damaged it in the friendly defeat at Mansfield over the weekend. Kozluk and Walton are the latest arrivals at Bramall Lane with Daniel Bogdanovic, Leon Britton, Johnny Ertl and Steve Simonsen having already been signed this summer as the Blades target promotion to the Premier League next season.