Johnny Russell: Derby County sign Dundee United striker

Derby County have completed the signing of Dundee United striker Johnny Russell for a fee of around £750,000.

The 23-year-old, who scored 20 goals in 38 games last season, has agreed a four-year deal with the Rams.

He is the Championship side's third signing of the summer after goalkeeper Lee Grant and striker Chris Martin.

"Johnny is an ambitious and hungry player and he shares our desire to be fighting it out for the top six," boss Nigel Clough told the club website.

"We're delighted to sign Johnny and his goalscoring exploits north of the border are something we've been aware of for some time.

"He's been prolific in the last few years and, from what we've seen of him, we believe he can transfer that form to the Championship.

"At 23 he is a player who's only going to improve as well and we feel he's the right type of player to complement the options and players we already have in attack.

"We've had some stiff competition from a number of clubs to get him here so it's nice to come out on top and convince him Derby County is the best place for him."

Russell had previously suggested he would be interested in a move away from the UK and Italian club Catania had a bid rejected for him in May.

Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United were also unsuccessful in moves for the player, in August 2012 and this January respectively.

However, the player told BBC Radio Derby that he had always felt the lure of playing in England.

"I don't think you could count England as abroad," he joked. "But it's somewhere I've always wanted to play.

"You want to try different things and I think I'm at a great club here."

Russell also told the BBC that the Championship club's infrastructure had been instrumental in persuading him to move south.

"The stadium, the training facilities have been really quality," he said.

"I spoke to the manager, the chairman, the coaching staff and their plans for what they want to do with the club, that's really sold me on it."