Rams seal deal for striker Villa

Villa only joined current side UAG Tecos in 2007

Derby have received international clearance for £2m Argentine striker Emanuel Villa.

Villa, 25, signed a three-and-a-half year deal last week after Derby agreed a fee with Mexican side UAG Tecos.

Villa was paraded to the crowd before Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday.

Manager Paul Jewell said: "I can't wait to see "Tito" in a Derby shirt because he looks good in training. I'm sure he will be a big fans' favourite."

Meanwhile, former Newcastle and Portsmouth winger Laurent Robert, 32, completed his move to Pride Park on Tuesday, while Blackburn accepted Derby's offer for 33-year-old midfielder Robbie Savage.

Speaking before the deal was done, Villa said: "I know I'm arriving at a team with relegation problems. I must get used to their league immediately because there is no time for mistakes.

606: DEBATE A bit underwhelming this Villa signing. His recent record - from a club nicknamed the Owls - doesn't exactly sound inspiring CapnBob_Overboard

"It's a dream come true. I wanted to play in Europe and now I have the opportunity and there is nowhere better than the Premier League."

Derby have already offloaded frontman Steve Howard to neighbours Leicester City as they look to rebuild their squad in a desperate bid to avoid relegation.

But Jewell said: "He's not a replacement for Steve, he was coming in whether Steve was here or not. He's keen to come and we're keen to have him. Scoring goals has been a problem."