Ayr United insist they are leaving no stone unturned as they await David Bangala's arrival in Scotland.
The summer signing remains holed up in France requiring visa clearance from the Home Office.
United are among a number of clubs hit by similar delays during the close season.
Stringent rules around the visa application process - allied to a major backlog in cases - has led to longer than expected processing times.
That's left former FK Pohronie midfield ace Bangala kicking his heels - and Ayr cursing their luck - as they look to get their new number 29 up to speed.
Club chiefs have even called in local polticians to help press their case with immigration bosses in London.
United managing director, Graeme Mathie, told the Ayrshire Post: "It’s a situation which is extremely frustrating for all concerned.
"We have done all we can at our end and gone through the due process, and all we can do is wait it out.
"Having spoken to other clubs in our situation, one had a similar time delay for a signing coming from France.
"We are pursuing it through every avenue and a couple of the local politicians have made representations on our behalf as well.
"These are challenges that are not unique to us and unfortunately it's a situation all other businesses are having to deal with at the moment in terms of recruiting from outside of the UK.
"There is a lot of red tape to go through and while it's very frustrating for ourselves, David and the fans, we're hoping there should be a resolution in sight."
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