IOWA CITY, Iowa – It took longer than what Iowa fans had hoped, but the end result has made it worth the wait.

Receiver Oliver Martin will be allowed to play for Iowa this season after his waiver request was approved by both the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference.

The former Iowa City West graduate, who played his first two seasons at Michigan, will make his Hawkeye debut in Saturday's season opener against Miami of Ohio at Kinnick Stadium. He will have three years of eligibility.

“I am ecstatic that the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference have approved our waiver request," Martin said in a release. "I want to thank my coaches and my teammates for their help as I work to get ready. I have been dreaming of running out of the tunnel wearing the black and gold ever since I decided to join the program. I can’t wait to contribute to this team on the field.”

Martin transfered to Iowa in June and submitted a waiver to the NCAA with help from an attorney in either late July or early August.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said on Tuesday that Martin would play in Saturday's season opener if he was cleared to participate in games.

"We are pleased that the NCAA and Big Ten Conference have approved Oliver’s waiver to play this season," Ferentz said Wednesday in a release. "Oliver is a tremendous young man who has been working hard since the day he set foot on our campus this summer. His teammates are excited to have him on the practice field and in the weight room, and we look forward to Oliver being able to contribute to our team.”

Martin joins a talented receiver group led by juniors Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Martin's situation has been a hot topic for over two months, and now a decision has been made just in time for him to play in Iowa's season opener.

Martin has declined to say why he chose to leave Michigan.

“I appreciate your interest on the topic,” Martin said Iowa's annual media day event on Aug. 9. “But I just don’t really want to go into the details.”