The third time was a charm for French Second Division club Metz and its young American hopeful, Oguchi Onyewu.
The DNCG, the French league committee that monitors club spending, approved the former Clemson standout's contract with Metz after twice previously rejecting it. The DNCG ruled that Metz couldn't justify signing the American defender, given its financial situation.
Metz, relegated to the Second Division after 35 straight years in the top flight, has since unloaded three veteran players, including American David Regis.
Onyewu's contract now goes before the French's league's legal committee, but he isn't expected to play for the Grenats any time soon. He's expected to be out until January with an ankle injury.
In Onyewu's absence, Metz got off to a poor start in the Second Division, but it has recovered to take 13 out of a possible 15 points in its last five games and move into a tie for second place after 17 games. The top three teams go up.