Obinna Denied Work Permit

Everton's application to secure a work permit for Nigerian international winger Victor Obinna has been rejected.

David Moyes and Bill Kenwright were part of a club contingent that attended an appeal hearing in London on Monday after the initial work permit for the 21-year-old Inter winger was rejected.

Ian Ross, Everton's Head of PR & External Affairs, confirmed: “Chairman Bill Kenwright, Manager David Moyes and Club Secretary David Harrison all attended the hearing in London this morning and despite making a strong case the appeal was rejected on the basis that the player fell some way short of the required criteria (of international experience).”

UK employment law dictates a player from outside the EU needs to have figured in 75% of his country’s competitive international matches in the two years previous to the application.

Moyes revealed the Club's interest in Obinna on Friday, but he was also aware of the potential work permit pitfalls. Obinna has only earned eight caps for his country, having netted three goals. He was also a key member of the Nigerian squad that reached the Olympic final in Beijing last month.

Obinna was signed by Inter earlier in the summer from Italian side Chievo but was immediately made available for loan.

Everton agreed a season-long loan move for the fleet-footed winger but he will now be unable to join The Toffees.

Obinna moved to Chievo from Nigerian football in 2005. In his first season with Chievo, Obinna scored 6 goals in 26 games, including a goal on his Serie A debut against Parma.

In the following seasons he became a key member of the Chievo squad, remaining with the side following their relegation from Serie A in 2007, helping them return to the Italian top flight before completing his switch to Internazionale.