Derby in pole position for Polish striker

Poland striker Grzegorz Rasiak has joined Derby on an initial one-year deal and has been registered in time to face Wigan at Pride Park this afternoon.

Rams boss George Burley has also secured Jason Talbot on a month’s loan from Bolton. The left-back is also expected to feature against the Latics.

Although Rasiak has signed a three-year contract with Italian club Siena, the deal had not been registered meaning the player had remained available as a free agent.

The 25-year-old had previously represented Polish clubs Warta Poznan, GKS Belchatow and Groclin.

Burley said: “We’ve been lacking a big man up front and at around 6ft 3in Grzegorz gives us that. He arrives with real pedigree – he’s an international and was playing European football with his last club in Poland.

“To sign a player of that calibre on a free is a coup for us.”