The enigmatic Dubliner joined the Tykes today following the completion of a medical at Oakwell on Thursday, and bidding adieu to Willy Wonka himself, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale.
The deal had been stalled as Barnsley awaited McPhail's return from honeymoon. Following a paltry return of 10 international caps, the left footer can now hopefully settle down to first team football, putting barren loan spells at Millwall and Notts Forest behind him.
McPhail made 107 appearances at Leeds, since joining the Elland Road club as a trainee in 1997. Just twelve of those were last season.
Commenting on whether a drop down a Division will affect his international chances ahead of next autumn's World Cup qualifiers, McPhail was pragmatic. "It will obviously impact on my chances," said the Dubliner at this afternoon's official unveiling, "as I could have been playing a division or two ahead of where I am now. But hopefully as the season begins, we can kick start on from here."