Ideye West Brom move delayed by visa

 

Delays over Nigeria striker Brown Ideye's visa and work permit have prevented him from linking up with new club West Bromwich Albion.

The 25-year-old joined the Premier League side from Ukrainians Dynamo Kiev last month for an undisclosed club-record fee, signing a three-year contract with an option for a further year.

However, he has yet to travel to the UK, meaning he missed a pre-season friendly against Nottingham Forest last week and is also due to miss a fixture with Port Vale on Tuesday.

"Officials at the British High Commission (in Nigeria) are still working on it," Ideye told the BBC Sport website on Sunday.

"The club has fulfilled all the necessary requirements, but I have been told that the British High Commission require up to 15 days to sort this, which is preventing my ability to travel.

"The public holiday in Nigeria last week (Eid) slowed things down a little bit on this side.

"I hope to get it sorted in the next couple of days because I can't wait to join my new teammates in England."

The striker admitted that he was likely to miss West Brom's opening Premier League game at home to Sunderland on August 16.

"I need to join the team first then train with the squad in front of the manager (Alan Irvine) and so far I have not been able to do that," he said.

Ideye scored 34 goals in three seasons with Ukrainian giants Dynamo, having previously played for Sochaux and Neuchatel Xamax after starting his career in his homeland with Ocean Boys.

He has won 24 caps for Nigeria, scoring five times, but was left out of the squad that reached the last 16 at the World Cup.