Manchester City have failed to sign McDonald Mariga after the Parma midfielder’s work permit application was turned down.
A deal to bring the Kenya international to Eastlands has been agreed, but City had an appeal turned down on Monday.
City officials attended a hearing at Wembley which included representatives from both from clubs, the FA, Premier League and the PFA but were told the player did not meet the criteria to play in the country.
Mariga is the victim of his country’s lowly Fifa ranking of 98.
The club are expected to appeal again, but will not be able to complete the signing before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Mariga is under contract with the club until summer 2012 and has made eight starts in a Parma shirt this season.
