WITH only about five hours to go before the transfer window shut, Trindidadian midfielder Silvio Spann was finally registered as a Wrexham player, which was confirmed in a fax from The Football League acknowledging just that fact.
It has been a long three-week spell for the former W Connection FC player, who has had to wait on a deal being concluded with his former club, his Work Permit being processed by the Home Office and then International Clearance to arrivem before finally the League could satisfy themselves that everything was in order.
All this after a summer of criss-crosing the Atlantic for extended trials with both Sunderland (twice) and Sheffield United.
Manager Brian Carey had been watching the situation unfold from the sidelines and patiently bided his time, first making contact with the player before we set off on our tour of Northern Ireland, showing Silvio around both the Racecourse and Colliers Park to give him a taste of Wrexham FC.
He also followed the player's progress with both the Black Cats and the Blades, travelling across the Pennines on several occasions to watch Silvio in action in friendlies matches.
"I returned from those games convinced that one or other of them would offer him a contract, but unfortunately for the player they didn't," said Brian.
"When they seemed to be hesitating on making an offer, that's when we made our move.
"We invited Silvio down to the team hotel on the eve of the opening day of the season at Darlington and he seems to have felt right at home ever since then.
"He came back to Wrexham with us after that game and we agreed a deal on his personal terms over the weekend before he had to return to Trinidad a few days later.
"Despite other clubs showing an interest in him since, he stuck to his word, as the drawn out process of getting him into the club slowly unfolded.
"The Work Permit was always going to be the biggest headache, but we felt he more than qualified for one, due to his presence in the T&T national team over the last two years and I'm glad to say the Home Office raised not objections.
"After that it was just a matter of waiting for all the pieces of the jigsaw to fall into place, although he did get a bit of shock when the arrived at the British Embassey in Port of Spain and they wanted over £200 to process his visa application!
"Now that is all behind us and he has a three-year deal with us, and we are all looking forward to seeing him pull on a red shirt in anger for the first time.
"Although I have to say that will be delayed for another two weeks, at least as far as the first etam goes, but he is likely to be in action for the Reserves against Carlisle United this coming Wednesday afternoon at the Racecourse and then in another home Pontin's League match the following Monday ,when Burnley are the visitors.
"We also have to thank a number of people for their help and advice over the last month or so, including Mike Berry, who's knowledge of all things Trinidad has come in very useful, as well as the officials at W Connection Football Club, who have been understanding and co-operative in our dealings them."
For Silvio himself, he too is relieved that the waiting is over.
"It feels good to finally be able to call myself a Wrexham player," he said after receiving the news.
"I have had a long summer of not being sure where my future lay, but now I'm here I'm delighted and just looking forward to playing football once again.
"A number of Trinidadian players have come to Wrexham in their careers and now speak highly of the club - I can understand why.
"Now I'm looking forward to settling into the team and the town, as well as setting up a home here when my wife comes across to join me."
Silvio will be allocated the number 16 shirt.