Lewis heads to Pride Park

The Rams have completed the signing of Leeds United wide player Eddie Lewis for an undisclosed fee.

The US international has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Billy Davies` side and the Scotsman is well acquainted with the 33-year-old as Lewis was part of the Preston North End side managed by Davies which were beaten in the Championship play-off final by West Ham United in 2005.

The Rams boss was happy with the signing, he said: "I'm absolutely delighted that Eddie has signed,' he told the official club website. 'The left side of midfield is an area we have targeted for improvement and he has a wonderful left foot. His delivery from wide areas and set pieces will provide an excellent platform for our attacking play."

Lewis moved to England in 2000, signing for Fulham from San Jose Earthquakes for one million pounds, and he scored his first Fulham goal against the Rams in the League Cup on Nov. 29, 2000, but made only 22 appearances for Fulham before moving to Preston in summer 2002 for £500,000.

The American international scored 16 goals in more than 100 appearances for Preston, but signed for Leeds when his contract ran out in 2005. Elland Road boss Dennis Wise Wise, saw Lewis, a left-sided midfielder, as one of the players who could help Leeds to bounce back.

"I wanted to keep Eddie but this is a wonderful opportunity for him," said the Leeds boss.
"He phoned me up and I was never going to stand in his way and say sorry, you're not going'. I think he would have been annoyed with me if I'd have done that.
"He's been a good pro, he's done very well for us and I'm chuffed to bits he has got an opportunity like this."

Lewis has joined 22-year-old American midfielder team mate Benny Feilhaber who completed a three million transfer from Hamburg to Derby on Friday.

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