Chris Porter will become Nigel Clough's first signing as Derby boss on Monday after agreeing personal terms with the Coca-Cola Championship club.

Motherwell striker Porter, 25, chose the Rams over a move to Cardiff after both had bids reportedly in the region of £400,000 accepted.

The formalities of the former Oldham star's registration are set to be completed on Monday but he will watch Derby's Championship home clash with Coventry on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams' initial approach for the forward, who scored 27 goals in 67 Motherwell appearances, was rebuffed - but they came back with an improved offer.

Clough, who took over at Pride Park this month, told his club's official website, www.dcfc.co.uk: "It's a terrific capture for us, and I'm delighted we've got this deal tied up.

"He has a proven track record of scoring goals and has tremendous physical attributes.

"I hope he will have a positive impact for us between now and the end of the season.

"We have some good competition for places now with the forwards, and that can only be good news for us."

Motherwell issued a brief statement on their own website, thanking Wigan-born Porter for his 18 months' service and wishing him well for the future.

Speaking in Saturday's Scottish Sun, manager Mark McGhee said: "He's been a terrific player for us - and I told him that

"It's been a pleasure having him here. He has got a great attitude; he's a good pro and he is ambitious.

"We're getting slightly less from Derby than we would have from Cardiff, but there are other aspects which make it just as good a deal."

McGhee, however, still reckons Porter should have gone to Ninian Park.

He said: "I respect his decision to go to Derby. But I went on record to say I thought he should have gone to Cardiff - and I stand by that.

"Cardiff are a team vying for the Premiership. Derby are a great club, but I think they are a wee step behind Cardiff at the moment.

"But he's chosen Derby for his own reasons. I think he feels he'd rather be nearer home than way down in Cardiff."

Porter will have to wait for his Rams debut, with their next game after this weekend coming on Wednesday when they play Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

Because he was not signed before the original tie, the striker is ineligible for the game.

He could make his bow in next Saturday's Championship match at Plymouth.

Porter joined Motherwell on a Bosman transfer from Oldham, where he hit 31 goals in two seasons - after netting 20 for Bury, where he made his breakthrough in 2003.