U.S. striker Brian McBride won't make his Fulham debut this weekend.

McBride couldn't get his work permit finalized in time to play against his former English club, Everton, in an FA Cup game Sunday.

McBride signed with Fulham on Tuesday from Major League Soccer side Colombus Crew.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman said he expects the work permit will be granted Monday, clearing the way for McBride to play against Tottenham on Jan. 31.

McBride played for three months at Everton last season.

"I owe a lot to them and their coach David Moyes. They've got a good bunch of guys there," McBride said. "They've a great squad and it so happened that I fitted right in. I really enjoyed my time there."

McBride said he had considered joining Blackburn, but Fulham made a better offer.

"I knew a little about the club from (U.S teammate) Eddie Lewis who's a good friend of mine, and I've actually seen the team play quite a bit," McBride said.

Another American player, defender Carlos Bocanegra, joined Fulham last week from the Chicago Fire of MLS.

"It's a good locker room, the spirit seems great, and it's been nice that there's someone here who I already know in Carlos Bocanegra," McBride said. "Overall I would say the transition's going well so far."

McBride is joining Fulham after the departure of star French forward Louis Saha, who completed a 12.82-million-pound (US$23.58 million) transfer to Manchester United on Friday.

Coleman said he lined up a move for McBride before Saha expressed his desire to go to Manchester and that he will try to sign another strker before the close of the transfer period next week.