NEW Giants signing Michael De Vere has had his work-permit application accepted in a club record time.
The procedure usually takes at least 14 days to complete.
But the Home Office have this week given the Australian centre the all-clear to play for the Giants in just three days!
That's a sign of the 27-year-old's status in the sport, but for his application to be accepted this quickly has left club officials stunned.
"This really is quite amazing," admitted Giants football manager Stuart Sheard.
"We knew it wouldn't take too long to get Michael's work permit because he's an international with Australia.
"But to have all the paperwork completed in three days is almost unprecedented.
"In all the years I've been involved in this procedure I've never known anything like it. On average it takes around 14 days.
"Home Office staff obviously took one look at his credentials, and realised they were dealing with someone at the very top of his profession.
"To gain a work permit you have to have played in over 50% of the internationals for your country in the past two seasons or played 75% of the games for your club in the NRL last season.
"In Michael's case he meets both criteria. That's why having the application approved was always going to be a formality."
De Vere would have been featuring for Australia in the current Tri-Nations series had he not suffered a knee injury towards the end of his domestic season with Brisbane Broncos.
But with his rehabilitation going well, he will be available for the start of Super League X.
