Darlington have won their appeal for a work permit for Colombian international Faustino Asprilla and the former Parma and Newcastle United striker will now complete his shock move to the 3rd division club.

The Home Office had initially refused the 32-year-old a permit, because he had only played five of Colombia’s last 14 internationals, but the Third Division side have successfully appealed against the decision.

“Tino will definitely sign for us this week,” read a statement on the club’s website.

Darlington captain Craig Liddle is confident that Asprilla will give the club a massive lift.

“It will be great for the supporters more than anybody else and I’m looking forward to playing with him,’ he said.

“I think it will give the whole club a lift but it will be interesting to see how well he does in Division Three.

“Everyone knows he is a quality player but it could take him time to adapt to this level.

“There will be players out there who will go out to hurt him, just to make a name for themselves, but he’s probably had that most of his career so he’ll be used to that.”

Last week, when news of the shock transfer emerged, Asprilla said: “I am a friend of the club chairman.

“I want to work with the team and help them to win promotion to the Second Division.

“I’ve kept good links with England. I have good friends there and it would be great to play again in the Premiership.”

Asprilla’s has endured non-too-successful spells with Palmeiras and Nacional, the latter of whom released him.