Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

DAVIS - file

Jamaican international Claude Davis is officially free to join English Premier League club Derby County, after being granted a work permit from the United Kingston Home Office yesterday.

Davis had attempted to make a £3 million move away from relegated Sheffield United earlier this month, but saw the deal hitch due to having not taken part in 75 per cent of Jamaica's matches in competitions over the last two years.

However, with the issue sent immediately to a special appeals committee, Davis, who has been playing in Britain for the last four years, was then granted the permit.

In a telephone interview with The Gleaner, Derby County special football consultant and football ambassador Craig Brown had explained that this would be the likely outcome with the player having already had prior permits.

The news of the 6ft. 2ins. central defender being cleared to officially join the team was greeted with great enthusiasm by team manager Billy Davies.

"We can now start to get him involved in playing matches and in further getting to know his teammates and everyone else at the club," Davies was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"Claude is an excellent addition. Hopefully he'll be a huge asset to Derby County and it's down to him now to fight for his place, as is the case with every member of the squad."

The Reggae Boy will be hoping to make much more of an impact in English Premier League football this time around at Derby, which also have on its roster Deon Burton, who has donned the Jamaica colours.

After signing with Sheffield United for a record figure, the player managed only 18 starts last season after picking up a knee injury early in the season.