Da Silva granted UK work permit

Eduardo da Silva has been cleared to play for Arsenal after a successful appeal to the British Home Office for a work permit.

The Gunners signed the Brazil-born Croatia striker from Dinamo Zagreb following the sale of captain Thierry Henry.

The 24-year-old moved to Europe at the age of 15, and he took Croatian nationality in 2002.

However, because he had not met the criteria of 75% of international appearances over the past two years, his application for a work permit went to an appeal.

With the formalities of the deal – understood to be worth £8m – Eduardo is now free to continue his pre-season preparations with the Gunners, which continue at the Amsterdam Tournament against Lazio tonight.

Manager Arsene Wenger had been “optimistic” of a successful appeal.

“In our first attempt they strictly applied the rule,” he said at the weekend, when Arsenal won the Emirates Cup.

“Eduardo has played 50% of national team games for Croatia. I consider it a fantastic achievement at the age of 24 – and he played every single game in the last year.”