NEW Giants signing Brad Drew has received the green light to embark on his Super League career in England.
The final hurdle to the powerful 28-year-old Australian arriving in Huddersfield was overcome at the weekend with the granting of the hooker's work-permit.
The processing of the permit, which covers Drew's two-year-deal, was always expected to go through.
But Giants football manager Stuart Sheard, who worked on the permit application at the Giants end, admitted the confirmation still came as something of a relief.
"Brad's status in the game always made him a firm favourite to get a work permit processed with the minimum of fuss, and that proved to be the case" said Sheard.
"But it's always a good feeling when you get the official nod.
"We've already passed on the news to Brad, and he's now gearing up to travel over here.
"The plan is for him to arrive in mid-November and get settled in to his new home ready for his family to arrive the following month.
"But there's more to it than that.
"Brad is very anxious to get to know as many of his new teammates as possible before the start of pre-season training at the beginning of December.
"He also wants to check out all the training facilities, utilise the club gym as much as possible and watch as many tapes of Huddersfield matches as he can.
"We've sent him the videos of our last few games and he's already got a good idea of the way the team plays and what his new teammates have to offer. As a hooker that's vitally important.
"Brad regards this process as vitally important."
* Dave Hadfield, the rugby league writer of the Independent, will be the guest speaker at the Senior Giants meeting tomorrow (2.15).
Following the demise of the organisation's former home at Fartown Supporters Club, the event takes place at the Charter Suite of the George Hotel.
