Leeds United

Einarsson Arrives!

United's latest signing, Icelandic international Gylfi Einarsson, jets in today to begin training whilst the club try to fight their way through the red tape that is preventing him from making his debut until next year.

The midfielder is out of contract with Norwegian side Lillestrom at the end of this month, but the FA have informed the club that he would be unable to play in Leeds colours until the international transfer window reopens on January 1.

FIFA rules state that the player would have had to be out of contract during the previous transfer window in August to be eligible to play, a situation that has left United boss Kevin Blackwell bemused with the whole situation.

"Gylfi will be out of contract on the 31st November which technically makes him unemployed," said Blackwell.

"We are of the understanding that if you are unemployed in the EU you are free to go and get work. If that's the case we are hoping to get him signed for the 1st December, however if FIFA say we can't, and I don't know why that would be, we would have him on the 1st of January.

"If a man is unemployed I do not see how they can deny him the opportunity to work wherever he can in the EU. There are anomalies in everything they do, they are a law unto themselves.

"He would have a case with the court of human rights because they are denying him the opportunity to earn a living. I don't know the full ins and out but it seems to me that European law - from bent bananas upwards - is farcical."

Derry signs!

Leeds United have secured the services of Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry for an undisclosed fee.

In order for the 26-year-old to be available for Wednesday night's game against Watford, the club have had to take Derry on an initial month's loan, which will is expected to be agreed on Wednesday morning, and will be turned into a permanent transfer before the weekend. He has agreed a two and a half year contract for an undisclosed game related fee and he will become Kevin Blackwell's 13th capture of the season.

Coming just over two months since Sean Gregan signed, manager Kevin Blackwell is delighted to have added another quality midfielder to the ranks.

"I know Shaun very well from our time together at Sheffield United, He's big, powerful, strong and he's been at the top of this division with Portsmouth and Palace (earning promotion with both teams) and once again he is one of those players who was desperate to come here as soon as I spoke to him. He can play in three or four different positions which will prove crucial to me with the squad the size we have got. Sean is no mug on the ball and I like to have players who can receive the ball and protect it." he said.

Whilst eager to strengthen his squad with a number of players close to possible suspension, Blackwell believes the conditions are right to bring in players following the 6-1 win over QPR.

"You make it a lot harder for them when things are not going right at the football club because the pressure can be on them to perform right away, so to come here on the back of a win is the perfect platform."

Last season Derry made 44 appearance for Crystal Palace, including the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium which Palace won to seal their promotion to the Premiership.

Nottingham-born Derry began his career as a trainee at Notts County, moved on to Sheffield United in 1998 for £700,000 and was snapped up by Portsmouth in 2000 for £300,000 before a £400,000 switch to Selhurst Park in 2002.

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