Derry completes switch to Leeds

Leeds United have completed the signing of the Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry for an undisclosed fee.

Leeds United have completed the signing of the Crystal Palace midfielder Shaun Derry for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old was recalled from a loan spell at Nottingham Forest on Thursday night and finalised a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Elland Road club yesterday morning.

The Leeds manager, Kevin Blackwell, who had hoped to sign the player in November before the deal fell through, said: "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."

Elsewhere, Youri Djorkaeff resumed his career yesterday when he signed for the Major League Soccer franchise New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the United States. The former French international striker, who turns 37 next month, was released last month by Blackburn after making three appearances, the last of which was against Chelsea last October.

Djorkaeff scored 28 goals in 82 matches for France and was in their World Cup-winning team in 1998 and European Championship-winning side two years later. The MetroStars open their 10th MLS season on 2 April when they entertain the new franchise, Real Salt Lake.