Jamaica international Simon Dawkins has parted ways with long time English club Derby County to join Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit San Jose Earthquakes on a permanent deal.

The 28-year-old attacker who spent two seasons on loan at San Jose in 2011 and 2012 will return this time around as a designated player, following a credible stint at Derby where he scored nine goals in 74 appearances.

Despite not featuring in the Championship this season for Derby, the utility player has been praised for his “respectful and hard-working” nature by Rams boss Paul Clement.

“We wish Simon, who was a popular member of the dressing room, every success at San Jose Earthquakes,” Clement told the club’s website.

“He handled that situation well — it would have been easy to down tools, reduce his effort and possibly be disruptive, instead, he was professional, respectful and hard-working, and he dealt with the disappointment with class and he is an example to us all.”

Dawkins, who was due to be out of contract this summer, has been made welcome by a delighted Earthquakes manager John Doyle, following his two successful stints at the MLS club.

“We’re delighted to welcome Simon back to San Jose. He has a tremendous amount of experience in England as well as internationally. Simon is also a proven player in Major League Soccer and helped the club win the Supporters’ Shield in 2012. He will be a key part of our attack,” said Doyle, while speaking to the Earthquakes’ official website.

Dawkins originally joined the Earthquakes from boyhood club Tottenham in March 2011 on a season-long loan, which was later extended for another campaign.

The 5ft 10in player went on to record 14 goals and three assists in 55 MLS appearances during his time in the States, while also helping the club win the 2012 Supporters’ Shield title as the team with the best regular season record.

The Jamaica international eventually moved back to England in January 2013 to join Aston Villa on loan for the second half of the 2012-13 Premier League campaign but featured just four times for the claret and blues before returning to Spurs.

He later joined Derby on a permanent basis in January 2014 and made his mark during his tenure. However, he fell out-of-favour under new boss Paul Clement and earned just one League Cup run-out this season.

The fleet-footed attacker was the Reggae Boyz hero in Managua last year, as his sublime last-gasp volley secured a 2-0 win over Nicaragua and dramatically plucked Jamaica from the jaws of early elimination from the crusade to Russia 2018.

The England-born midfielder’s 89th-minute strike ensured Jamaica progressed 4-3 on aggregate to the third round of the CONCACAF qualifiers after a shock 2-3 loss to their Central American opponents in Kingston on the first leg.

Dawkins has so far made 19 appearances and scored three goals for Jamaica, after making his international debut in May 2014 against Serbia at the Red Bull Arena. He was also a figure in the Reggae Boyz Caribbean Cup championship winning team in 2014 and also featured in their historic second-place finish to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.