Derby striker completes move to Leicester

Leicester have completed the signing of Derby striker Steve Howard for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old will be available for tomorrow’s Coca-Cola Championship clash against QPR having initially joined on an emergency loan deal subject to Football League confirmation.

Howard has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal to join fellow new arrival Barry Hayles, who signed earlier today.

Foxes manager Ian Holloway told the club website, lcfc.co.uk: "Steve and Barry scored a total of 33 goals between them last season, while off the field they are two of the best characters in the game.

“It’s fantastic to have them here.”

Howard, meanwhile, added: “I got a phone call from Derby this morning to tell me that they had accepted a bid.

“When I was told it had come from Leicester I jumped at the chance. It was an easy decision to make in the end.”

Howard has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, scoring just once in 20 appearances this season.

After agreeing personal terms, Howard moves to the Walkers Stadium on an initial emergency loan deal before completing a permanent switch for a fee thought to be in excess of £1m.

Rams chairman Adam Pearson said on Derby’s website, dcfc.co.uk: “We believe this is a deal that is in the best interests of the player and the club.”

Chairman Milan Mandaric earlier told BBC Radio Leicester “We need power up front and Steve Howard is the top drawer on this one.“

Like Howard, veteran striker Hayles has initially joined Leicester on an emergency loan deal to enable him to come into contention tomorrow and will sign an 18-month contract at the Walkers Stadium on Wednesday.

Hayles, 35, has scored 181 career goals and was given his first chance in league football by Holloway at Bristol Rovers in 1997.

And the Foxes boss believes the former Fulham forward will bring some much-needed experience to his attack.

He said: “Barry brings experience, hunger and desire to this football club.It doesn’t take a genius to work out that he is just the sort of player that we need.

“We have got a lot of young strikers at the club – including Matty Fryatt, Iain Hume, Ashley Chambers, Ricky Sappleton and Eric Odhiambio. DJ Campbell is 27, but he hasn’t played that many games at this level during his career to date.

“He is an exceptional goalscorer and he has proved that at this level and higher. He has got a one in three goalscoring record at every level he has played at. I’m absolutely delighted that he has agreed to join us.”