Rams win race for rivals' midfield ace

Nottingham Forest midfielder Kris Commons has reportedly agreed to sign a three-year deal with Midlands rivals Derby County.

Rams boss Paul Jewell was leading the ace for the signature of the highly-rated player, who was not offered a new contract at the City Ground after he told their boss Colin Calderwood that he would not be staying despite their promotion back to the Championship.

Only last week Rams chairman of football Adam Pearson said: "We are in talks with Kris and we are hopeful that he will agree to join us in the near future."

It is now being claimed by Skysports that Commons has agreed a deal at Pride Park and the creative midfielder will become Jewell's second summer signing following the free transfer swoop for Plymouth's Paul Connolly.