The Daily Scoop

Feilhaber Up for Derby Test

by Greg Seltzer - August 15, 2007

US midfielder Benny Feilhaber has completed his €1.5 million switch from Hamburg to Derby County, and says he is ready for the challenge of playing Premiership ball.

The youngster signed his three-year Pride Park deal on Tuesday, but will only be able to participate in Wednesday's clash at Manchester City if his international paperwork clears by 5:00 pm GMT. In any event, he is quite eager to jump into coach Billy Davis' selection.

"I'm very excited about my move to the Premier League," Feilhaber told American Soccer Daily. "I'm really looking forward to helping the team this year."

After jumping back and forth between HSV and their reserves last season, the UCLA product says he came to the promoted Rams to establish himself as a top flight regular.

"What is most exciting for me is the fact that I will really be part of one team, as opposed to me coming in and out from the reserves and first team in Hamburg," said the Gold Cup hero. "I will feel really comfortable with the players and managers if I'm with them everyday."

Last season, Feilhaber worked 17 HSV II games compared to 12 for the Bundesliga side.
(photo: HSV)

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"The EPL is, to me, the most exciting league in the world with so much direct play and with such great players. I look forward to playing against all of them."

Though he is leaving HSV for something more, Feilhaber made it clear that he will never regret his time at the AOL Arena, the stadium where he enjoyed his Champions League debut.

"My time in Hamburg was also a very good one," he intimated. "I had a great experience my two years there, and it has undoubtedly helped me grow as a person and player. I hope all the best for them this year."

UPDATE: According to the club, Feilhaber will likely have to wait another week before he can make his Premier League bow for Derby County.

"The deal for Benny was completed yesterday," Derby press officer Matt Reeder told American Soccer Daily.

"But we are now waiting for international clearance which can take anything up to a week, so he should be available for first team action sometime in the early part of next week."

Derby travel to Manchester City tonight and then Tottenham on Saturday, which means Feilhaber's debut could come in their home clash with Birmingham on August 25th.

On Saturday, the Rams tied Portsmouth 2-2 at Pride Park in their inaugural Premier League contest.

Update by Michael Gatenby