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Derby County's ins and outs as deadline day looms and further business pending

By Leigh Curtis

Derby County's ins and outs as deadline day looms and further business pending

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Derby County have enjoyed a terrific summer transfer window as they look to wrap up their final deals ahead of Monday's 7pm deadline.

Carlton Morris was the first to sign as he put pen to paper on a three-year deal after the club paid an undisclosed fee to Luton Town for his services.

That was then followed by the arrival of centre-back Danny Batth from Blackburn Rovers in what was a busy day of Derby arrivals.

The return of Andi Weimann was then confirmed later in the day with the attacker penning a one-year deal after following Batth from Ewood Park to Pride Park.

And finally, the experienced Richard O'Donnell signed a one-year contract to join Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Josh Vickers as Derby's trio of goalkeepers.

Derby then shelled out their biggest fee of the summer as they paid £5.9m for Patrick Agyemang before Owen Beck penned a loan deal from Liverpool. Derby have not stopped there however with David Ozoh returning on loan from Crystal Palace and that was soon followed by Rhian Brewster after he opted against staying at Sheffield United.

Bobby Clark also joined on a season-long loan from RB Salzburg as did Dion Sanderson from Birmingham while the Rams this week added Lewis Travis and Max Johnston in what are two impressive arrivals.

But while the fans were celebrating those moves, a number of players waved goodbye and here is the complete list of ins and outs that have taken place so far.

Ins

Carlton Morris

The striker put pen to paper on a three-year deal to become the first player to sign for Derby this window.

Derby paid an undisclosed fee for his services following his relegation with Luton Town in League One.

"It's a massive club that I've heard a lot of good things about. When they came in for me, it was a bit of a no-brainer, really," he said.

"The move is a big change, especially with my family. You want to know about the football club, about the area, and I've heard nothing but good. I've heard it's a great family club, so I'm excited to get going."

Danny Batth

The centre-back, who played more than 40 games for Blackburn Rovers last season, arrived from Ewood Park on a free transfer.

He had the chance to stay in the north west, but decided to rejoin head coach John Eustace at Pride Park.

"When I got the call, I was excited [by the opportunity] and I'm glad to be here now and ready to get down to work," he said.

"I just think it was a great opportunity for me to come and help the team and the club. I've played against Derby over the years. I know what an occasion it is when you play at the stadium and the support the club gets. I just wanted to be part of that. It's a real project, and I think the foundations were set last year. The club is now looking to move forward, so I want to be a big part of that."

Andi Weimann

Like Batth, the Austrian attacker decided to make the switch from Ewood Park to Pride Park on a one-year contract and on a free transfer.

He scored nine goals in all competitions last season and is reunited with Eustace who was his team-mate at Watford and his former boss at Blackburn.

"I'm happy to be back. I'm delighted to get it over the line now and I am ready to crack on," he said.

"I signed 10 years ago, and I left seven years ago. I had some good times, definitely, and I enjoyed my time here. Obviously, there were some disappointments because we lost in the play-offs twice, so maybe I've got a little bit to point to prove here."

Richard O'Donnell

Derby moved to sign the experienced goalkeeper on a one-year deal after he left Blackpool where he had spent the last two years.

He will join the goalkeeper's union at Derby of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Josh VIckers.

He replaces Rohan Luthra who was released at the end of the season.

"After speaking to the gaffer and Paul Clements, it was a really appealing one for me in terms of where I fit in and where my role is. Before the last couple of years, I've been used to playing week in, week out. I've nearly got to that 500-game mark, which is still a target of mine.

"I've had many highlights, starting at my boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday and then playing at Wembley. There's been plenty of ups and plenty of downs. That's part of the reason why I'm here, using my experience to help guide everyone through, as well as the already experienced boys who are here."

Patrick Agyemang

Derby paid £5.9m for the striker from Charlotte FC in what will be their biggest outlay of the summer. The USA international has yet to make his debut because of a hernia operation, but he has been in the stands recently to watch his new team-mates in action.

Agyemang has played a starring role for Charlotte since arriving as the 12th overall draft pick from the University of Rhode Island in 2023, scoring 17 goals in 59 MLS regular-season appearances. His 10 goals and three assists helped them to the MLS Play Offs in 2024.

It would only take him two years to catch the eyes of USA boss - and former Spurs, Chelsea and Southampton manager - Mauricio Pochettino, and he went on to score on his international debut in January.

"It's exciting, I have been hearing good things about the club and the fans as well," Agyemang said about his move to Derby. "I always wanted to be a part of something special, to finally be here, it's amazing.

"I heard about [the move] once I was getting into the national team for the Gold Cup. In the moment, you're like: 'That's something I'm interested in!' however, you want to focus on what you're doing.

"As it starts to progress, you start to look more into it. I knew this was a project I'd love to be a part of. I just hoped for it to get across the line. Happily, it did.

"I always wanted to take that next step into being in a position to help myself better my career. Going into the Championship and being around such passionate fans and a good group of guys is something I'm excited for."

Owen Beck

The left-back joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool and is reunited with head coach Eustace who signed him during his time at Blackburn Rovers.

The full-back, who made more than 30 appearances at Ewood Park last season, says Eustace was a big factor in his decision and hopes he can continue to help him develop.

"We built a really good connection," he said. "I feel like he got the best out of me. When he called up and we had that conversation again where he was looking to bring me in, it was a no-brainer, really!

"I enjoyed playing under him. As I said, I feel like he got the best out of me. I feel like he can get even more out of me this season, and I can push that step further."

David Ozoh

The Crystal Palace midfielder showed real class during his time at Derby last season but unfortunately it was a season impacted by injury.

But he had done enough in the games that he had played to warrant another loan spell and he arrives back at Pride Park with something of a point to prove.

Ozoh had other offers on the table, but said: "I am just excited to be back. I felt like I had unfinished business, so I'm happy to be back.

"I wanted to play games again this season, it was a decision I made last season because I didn't play as many games as I'd have liked. I had a couple of conversations with the gaffer at the end of last season, and I just really wanted to come back and finish what I started last year.

"It had to be here. There was nowhere else that I wanted to go."

Rhian Brewster

In what is another eye-catching arrival for Derby, Brewster opted against signing a new contract with Sheffield United to pen a two-year deal on a free transfer.

Brewster cost the Blades £23m from Liverpool back in 2020 and nearly secured promotion to the Premier League until United were beaten by Sunderland in the playoff final at Wembley.

Widely expected to play in the number 10 position, Brewster cannot wait to get started at Pride Park.

"I'm very happy and very delighted to join this great club," he said. "It's been busy but after speaking to all the boys and the manager and stuff like that, it was a no-brainer. I feel this is a big opportunity for me - and one I had to grab with two hands. Hopefully, I can show that this year."

Bobby Clark

Derby moved to sign the former Liverpool midfielder on a season-long loan from RB Salzburg having beaten off Premier League and Scottish Premier League interest to sign him.

Derby have been long-term admirers of the 20-year-old who is back in the UK after his spell in Austria didn't work out as planned.

Clark is now looking forward to the challenge ahead having been convinced by the project.

"Once I found out Derby were interested, I had a chance to speak with the manager and the staff. With his goals and the way he is aligned with me, it seemed right," he said.

Dion Sanderson

The defender has signed on a season-long loan from Birmingham City and it is the fourth time that Eustace has signed Sanderson in his managerial career.

Sanderson said: "I think he's a quality person, a quality manager. The fans, anyone that's worked with him, players and staff, would say that. You just have to see what he did last season - it was incredible.

"I really enjoy my work under him. I know what he wants from me and I'm just glad to be here.

"I had him as an assistant at QPR. We got on really well there, and then he went to Birmingham after that. In the season where he made me the captain, for the first six months he was there, I was probably playing the best football I've played so far - and he brought that out of me."

Lewis Travis

Derby completed a move for the Blackburn Rovers skipper this week having paid an undisclosed fee for the midfielder.

The 27-year-old signed a four-year contract and has been a long-term target for Eustace.

"I'm over the moon to be here. It's been a long time coming, so I'm buzzing to finally be here," Travis told the club website.

"The last time I played against Derby in March, they were in the bottom three, but the fans were so enthusiastic and so loud, they're always behind the team

"It's a very hard-working team. Obviously, they know the way John (Eustace) wants to play. That's exactly how I like to do it. There are a lot of games to be played this season. We just need to knuckle down and kick on now."

Max Johnston

Just hours after Travis had put pen to paper, Johnston was also unveiled by Derby as the right-back became their 12th signing.

Derby paid an undisclosed fee to Sturm Graz for the Scotland international who has Champions League experience with the Austrian club.

The full-back is highly rated and speaking about the move, Johnston said: "I'm delighted. Obviously I am buzzing to be here and it was a long time coming. I had to wait a little bit and be patient, but I'm delighted that we've managed to get it over the line.

"It was a few weeks ago when I first got the information that Derby were interested. As soon as it came about, I was ready to come here."

Outs

Sonny Bradley

Released at the end of last season, the centre-back has since found himself a new home in the guise of Lincoln City.

Will be reunited with his former Derby team-mate James Collins who currently leads the attack at Sincil Bank.

Tyrese Fornah

The midfielder spent the entirety of last season on loan at Salford City where they just missed out on the League Two playoffs.

Was inevitably released by Derby at the end of the season but has since joined Northampton Town on a three-year deal.

Tom Barkhuizen

Was released at the end of the season which brought his three-year stint at Pride Park to an end.

Has joined Barrow.

Conor Washington

Didn't have the best of times at Derby in a injury-hit spell at the Rams. Was unsurprisingly released at the end of the season. Has recently signed for Matlock.

Rohan Luthra

Did feature on the bench towards the back end of the campaign as he became back up to Josh Vickers after Jacob Widell Zetterstrom picked up an injury.

Was allowed to leave at the end of the campaign.

Jeff Hendrick

Didn't feature once for Derby after signing on a free transfer after the January window had shut.

Released at the end of the season.

Kemar Roofe

Was released at the end of the season, but is currently training with Derby to work on his fitness as he ponders his next move.

Currently available on a free transfer.

Erik Pieters

Did make one appearance when he came off the bench in the final home game against Stoke City on the last day of the season.

Was released at the end of the campaign.

How many more players do Derby need? Have your say HERE.

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