STEPHEN CRAINEY sealed his £200,000 move to Leeds yesterday and described it as "a chance to get my career back on track."

The 23-year-old Scottish international left back only arrived at St Mary's for £250,000 in January from Celtic - just a fortnight before Gordon Strachan departed.

Crainey failed to make an impact on Paul Sturrock, who placed Graeme Le Saux, Danny Higginbotham and new signing Jelle van Damme ahead of him in the left-back pecking order, and played just five times for the first team - once under Strachan.

Crainey joined Leeds on loan at the end of last week, so he was eligible to play in their match against Derby, though he was an unused sub.

But now the formalities of his permanent move have been finalised.

Crainey, who was interesting Championship outfit Sunderland last month, said: "The last few days have been a bit frantic, but we've got it sorted and I'm delighted to be here.

"I just want to get down to playing some games for Leeds.

"There were never any doubts about dropping down a level.

"Paul made it clear I wouldn't be part of his plans and I'd only play if there were injuries, so as soon as I heard of Leeds' interest, I was desperate to come.

"I see this as a chance to get my career back on track after what happened at Southampton."

Crainey is the first player Leeds have paid cash for since Terry Venables spent £2.75m on Nick Barmby in 2002 and signed on a three-year deal.