Derby County have completed the signing of Hamburg's Benny Feilhaber after successfully obtaining a work permit for the USA player.
The midfielder is now due to fly in to England and will not be eligible to play in Saturday's season opener against Portsmouth as his international clearance will not be completed before Friday's 12 noon deadline.
Rams boss Billy Davies told the club's website: "We're bringing in another very good young player with excellent potential who is growing in stature with is national team.
"I believe he is ready for the challenge of the Premier League."