Derby sign Kilmarnock captain Craig Bryson

Derby County have completed the signing of Kilmarnock captain Craig Bryson for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old Scotland midfielder has agreed a three-year contract with the Championship club.

BBC Scotland understands Killie will receive an initial transfer fee of £350,000 with a further sum of about £100,000 based on appearances.

Bryson said: "I've had a great time at Kilmarnock, but the chance to go to Derby was too big to turn down."

The midfielder, who played 135 games for Killie and was under contract with the Rugby Park outfit until the summer of 2013, had been given a trial by Derby while at Clyde.

"Four years ago, I went down for a three or four day trial while Billy Davies was manager and he did not think I was ready for the first team," Bryson recalled.

"But I got the chance to go to Kilmarnock and now I am going to Derby."

Kilmarnock had rejected a couple of offers from Derby this summer before eventually agreeing to the transfer.

"I think every player would worry after so many bids got rejected, but the amount of bids shows how much they wanted me and gives me great belief," the player told BBC Scotland.

Bryson is hopeful of one day playing in the Premier League in England - and achieving that with Derby.

"I've had a great four years at Kilmarnock and I am going to be sad to leave," he said.

"You work so hard during the season and this seems like a great reward for me.

"It is a massive club. I've been down and seen the stadium and training ground and everything there is set up for the Premiership.

"So I hope I can help the team get up much higher in the league than finishing 19th.

"Everybody wants to play in the Premier league, but I am just delighted I have the chance to play in the Championship with Derby."

County are also hopeful of completing deals for Nottingham Forest's Nathan Tyson and fellow striker Chris Maguire, from Aberdeen, and manager Nigel Clough was pleased to eventually capture Bryson.

"It's a tremendous signing for us and we're delighted he's chosen us," Clough told the club website.

"He is a leader on and off the field, has hunger to improve and he has energy and ability in abundance."