Qatar club Al-Arabi have confirmed on their official Twitter account the signing of reported Derby County and Stoke City target Birkir Bjarnason.
The attacking midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Aston Villa in August.
The Sun on Sunday (September 29; Page 53) claimed Derby and Stoke were keen.
And Bjarnason claimed he held talks with the Championship duo while proving his fitness over the international break with the Iceland national team.
Derby and Stoke, however, have now been beaten to his signature.
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Al-Arabi confirm that Bjarnason has signed a three-month deal at the club.
The 31-year-old will join up with Icelandic coach Heimer Halgrimsson. Al-Arabi’s post also states he will come in as a replacement for the injured Aaron Gunnarsson.
It leaves the possibility open for Derby and Stoke to go in for him in January.
Bjarnason proved he can still operate at a top level during Iceland’s 1-0 defeat to France. He was his nation’s best player, posting four interceptions and three successful dribbles.
The former Villa man followed that up with another 70 minutes against Andorra.
Derby have been light on natural wide options and driving midfielders this season. Bjarnason would have been a decent fit at Pride Park and the Rams could regret missing out.
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