eeds United have completed the surprise signing of Shaun Derry from Crystal Palace on a permanent transfer in time for the midfielder to be available for tomorrow's trip to Wigan, according to the club's official website. There were no leaks in the press about the resurrected deal and it has come out of the blue, which is a pleasant change from the agonisingly drawn-out, very public, deals of the previous regimes. Clearly Bates is decisive and when he says negotiations are secret that is how they stay. Nice one Ken!
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Derry Aire
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Shaun Derry was in the second month of a loan spell with Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest when he was recalled on Thursday by Palace and he arrived at Thorp Arch earlier today to finalise his move. He had a Leeds medical back in November before his aborted move. He has already trained with his new team-mates ahead of leaving for the game at the JJB on Saturday. Whether Blackwell will change a winning team remains to be seen. It may be that Derry will start on the bench as Blackwell revels in having options on his subs bench instead of kids!
The 27-year-old midfielder had been set to join Leeds back in November but the deal fell apart at the last minute.
Leeds United boss Kevin Blackwell has been a long time admirer of Shaun, a player he worked with at Sheffield United, he told the official club website, www.leedsunited.com:
"His track record for Portsmouth and Crystal Palace has been impressive and his experience in the middle of the park will go a long way to strengthen our squad.
"He's been involved in this division for a few years now and is a battler. He is a fierce competitor, while he is also powerful, strong and at 27, he is coming up to the right age for a midfielder."
Derry's record at Forest this season is Played 8 Won 2 Drawn 2 Lost 4 - so let's hope he has a more positive influence at Elland Road!
Nottingham-born Derry began his career as a trainee at Notts County, moved on to Sheffield United in Jan 1998 for £700,000 and was snapped up by Portsmouth in March 2000 for £300,000 before a £400,000 switch to Selhurst Park in August 2002.
The fee for Derry will be not be disclosed and he has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract at Elland Road.
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