Derby County beat off competition from numerous clubs to secure the signing of the highly-rated attacker Kris in the summer of 2008.

He was one of seven new signings to be snapped up quickly ahead of the new Coca-Cola Championship campaign.

Mansfield-born Commons was released by Nottingham Forest in May having played a key role in helping the Reds win promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship.

He made a total of 159 appearances for Forest, scoring 38 goals, after moving from Stoke City in 2004.

Commons, who agreed a three-year deal on moving to Pride Park, graduated from Stoke's youth ranks and made his debut for the Potters back in October 2001.

He became the first player to make a direct move from Nottingham Forest to Derby County since Gary Charles arrived at the Baseball Ground in July 1993.

In February 2009 he went back to the City Ground to haunt his former club with the winner as Derby overturned an early 2-0 lead to triumph 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup fourth round tie.

He was also on target in spectacular style as Derby earned a 1-0 lead from the first leg of January's Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Pride Park.

Commons has graduated through to the full Scotland squad this year and won international caps after qualifying for the Tartan Army through his grandmother.