Norwegian trialist Vemund Brekke Skard will not be able to join the Blues until the transfer window opens in January. The Brumunddal midfielder has been deemed a professional rather than an amateur and is therefore subject to transfer window restrictions.

Skard, 24, has not been paid a wage by Brumunddal but TWTD understands that travel expenses for his weekly 220-mile round trip from his home in Oslo have caused him to be classified as a professional.

The two clubs, the football authorities in England and Norway and Skard's agent have spent today clarifying the player's situation with the conclusion that he is unable to make the move outside of a transfer window.

Skard, whose contract with Brumunddal is up on Monday, has agreed to sign a deal until the summer of 2007.

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