SOCCEROO Mile Sterjovski is set to sign for Derby this weekend after he flew in to the UK for talks with the Premier League side.
Rams coach Paul Jewell looks to have beaten off French competition to land Sterj after Ligue One outfit St Etienne were also keen to sign him.
Sydney were also reportedly in the hunt for the 28-year-old but he looks to have opted for the Premier League over the A-League.
Sterjovski was last night due to arrive in England from Turkey, where he has been playing for Genclerbirligi OFTAS and will discuss terms and undergo a medical before signing an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of $750,000.
Sterjovski failed to settle in Turkey after moving there from Swiss club FC Basel at the beginning of this season. He scored three goals in 12 appearances, including 10 starts, before Jewell was alerted to his availability.
"St Etienne were in for him but he wants to come to the Premier League and join Derby County," Jewell told the Derby Evening Telegraph.
"We know we are in a predicament at the moment but this club still has a major pulling force for some players.
"Hopefully, a deal can be done by the close of play but he won't be available for this weekend, as he needs to fly back to Turkey to sort out his work permit."
Sterjovski has 33 caps for Australia, scoring five goals, and featured against Brazil, Croatia and Italy at the last World Cup in 2006 as the Socceroos reached the last 16.
"I have been aware of him for a while," Jewell added. "I watched him play in the World Cup a couple of years ago and Guus Hiddink rated him highly.
"He can play on the wing or up front, has good energy, decent pace and can finish.
"I am sure he will add something to the team and should be a good signing."
Ex-AIS star Sterjovski began his career with hometown club Wollongong Wolves before a brief spell with Illawarra Lions and went on to make his name at Sydney United, scoring 20 goals in 37 games over two years.
A season with Parramatta Power followed, where he netted 11 times in 31 appearances. His form earned him a move to Lille, where he was largely used as a winger.
He made 91 appearances, scoring 15 goals, over four seasons before joining Basel on a free transfer in 2004.
Sterjovski helped the club to the Swiss title in his first season, before reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup the following year, where they were eventually knocked out by Middlesbrough.
He moved to Genclerbirligi OFTAS in the summer and scored on his debut after coming off the bench against Fenerbahce but never settled.
* Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy is leaving Nurnberg for Bundesliga rival KARLSRUHE.
Kennedy signed for Nurnberg in 2006, but tore his Achilles tendon in training and sat out 14 months. He could not secure a place in the starting line-up after returning.
Nurnberg general manager Martin Bader said Kennedy had signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Karlsruhe.
Sydney were also reportedly in the hunt for the 28-year-old but he looks to have opted for the Premier League over the A-League.
Sterjovski was last night due to arrive in England from Turkey, where he has been playing for Genclerbirligi OFTAS and will discuss terms and undergo a medical before signing an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of $750,000.
Sterjovski failed to settle in Turkey after moving there from Swiss club FC Basel at the beginning of this season. He scored three goals in 12 appearances, including 10 starts, before Jewell was alerted to his availability.
"St Etienne were in for him but he wants to come to the Premier League and join Derby County," Jewell told the Derby Evening Telegraph.
"We know we are in a predicament at the moment but this club still has a major pulling force for some players.
"Hopefully, a deal can be done by the close of play but he won't be available for this weekend, as he needs to fly back to Turkey to sort out his work permit."
Sterjovski has 33 caps for Australia, scoring five goals, and featured against Brazil, Croatia and Italy at the last World Cup in 2006 as the Socceroos reached the last 16.
"I have been aware of him for a while," Jewell added. "I watched him play in the World Cup a couple of years ago and Guus Hiddink rated him highly.
"He can play on the wing or up front, has good energy, decent pace and can finish.
"I am sure he will add something to the team and should be a good signing."
Ex-AIS star Sterjovski began his career with hometown club Wollongong Wolves before a brief spell with Illawarra Lions and went on to make his name at Sydney United, scoring 20 goals in 37 games over two years.
A season with Parramatta Power followed, where he netted 11 times in 31 appearances. His form earned him a move to Lille, where he was largely used as a winger.
He made 91 appearances, scoring 15 goals, over four seasons before joining Basel on a free transfer in 2004.
Sterjovski helped the club to the Swiss title in his first season, before reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup the following year, where they were eventually knocked out by Middlesbrough.
He moved to Genclerbirligi OFTAS in the summer and scored on his debut after coming off the bench against Fenerbahce but never settled.
* Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy is leaving Nurnberg for Bundesliga rival KARLSRUHE.
Kennedy signed for Nurnberg in 2006, but tore his Achilles tendon in training and sat out 14 months. He could not secure a place in the starting line-up after returning.
Nurnberg general manager Martin Bader said Kennedy had signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Karlsruhe.
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