Marius Niculae is free to play for Inverness Caley after the Romanian won his work permit on appeal yesterday.

The Romanian international striker will be free for selection at Motherwell on Saturday after succeeding at a work permit hearing at Hampden Park yesterday to become the Highland club's biggest ever signing.

Niculae said: "I can now concentrate on doing my best for the club and I can't wait to pull on the jersey.

"I hope to repay them with goals for Caley Thistle. I feel fit and raring to go now and I hope I can play a part soon."

Alan Savage, the Caley Thistle chairman, said: "We felt we had a very good hearing but were told to go away and await a decision within two hours.

"As you could imagine, that was a very nail-biting period as we waited on the outcome. But all our efforts have been worthwhile."