Town are trying to tie up the signing of Norwegian Vemund Brekke Skard as soon as possible but he is not likely to be involved against Brighton on Saturday. The 24-year-old midfielder has decided to accept the Blues' offer of a deal until the summer of 2007.

Skard's current contract with amateur side Brumunddal is up on Monday, the Norwegian season having finished last weekend. The two clubs are trying to find a way to secure his move to England outside of the transfer window if it is possible, with a two-month loan prior to a permanent free transfer being discussed. However, if no method of circumventing the transfer window restrictions is found, the deal will be delayed until the new year.

His status as an amateur with Brumunddal may mean he is any case not subject to the same constraints as professional players. Town hope he could be available for the reserves against Watford on Monday and possibly for the first team at Derby on Wednesday.

Brumunddal chairman Guttorm Tysnes says he will do everything he can to help the switch progress smoothly: "This is a great day for us as a club. We are losing a good player and a well-liked personality in the dressing room but we are proud that Vemund is now going to be our club's first professional player abroad.

"This story is close to being a fairytale and should inspire other young football players at our club. We intend to cooperate with Ipswich to enable him to play for them as soon as possible."

The player himself is ecstatic: "Unbelievable! I didn't even dream of this when I left for England earlier in the week. I knew I had a small chance of winning a contract, but I was more than happy just to get a one-week trial. I thought that would be something to remember for the rest of my life."

Skard is currently studying to be a teacher in Oslo and travels 90 miles to play for Brumunddal at weekends. The recently completed season was his first in 2 Divisjon, Avdeling 2, the regionally divided third tier of Norwegian football, having helped Brumunddal to promotion in 2004. Previously all Skard's football had been at 3 Divisjon and 4 Divisjon levels.

Photo: Action Images

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