Third Division Darlington's hopes of signing Colombian Faustino Asprilla were lifted today when they were granted a work permit for the former Newcastle United striker.
Darlington's original application was turned down by the British government but the decision was overturned at an appeal hearing this afternoon.
A statement on the north east club's website said Asprilla, the former Parma favourite, would "definitely sign for Darlington this week".
Asprilla got his first taste of life at Feethams last night when he was presented to a crowd of 5,163 before the club's 2-0 win over Carlisle.
Darlington chairman George Reynolds, who agreed personal terms to bring the South American to the club over the weekend, has used the lure of the club's new 25,000-capacity stadium, which is scheduled to be ready by the turn of the year, to persuade him that his future lies in County Durham.