Leeds Finally Get Derry

Last updated : 18 February 2005 By Kevin Markey
The 27-year-old was recalled from a loan spell at Nottingham Forest last night and finalised a two-and-a-half-year deal this morning.

Kevin Blackwell, who had tried to sign Derry last November before the deal fell through, was pleased to have finally got his man.

"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 said on the official Leeds website.

"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 himself said on the official club website: "I will be very proud to be finally wearing a Leeds United shirt. By working with Kevin in the past he's shown a keen interest in me and I was sure that once his rebuilding process got underway that it would come around again and I am just delighted that it has."

Nottingham-born Derry began his career as a trainee at Notts County, went on to Sheffield United in Jan 1998 for £700k and moved on to Portsmouth in March 2000 for £300k before a £400k switch to Selhurst Park in August 2002.