First-Team Squad

Derby County’s squad has changed plenty over the past few years, with the 2024/25 Championship season being no different.

Derby County goalkeepers

Josh Vickers

Derby County boss Paul Warne was keen to bring competition to his goalkeeping ranks and did so in the form of Josh Vickers as a free agent.

The goalkeeper had previously worked under the head coach in his time at Rotherham United and has been handed a run of games in goal.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom

Derby paid £1.4million to seal a deal for goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom on a permanent deal from Swedish side Djurgardens.

The shot-stopper has become an instant favourite at Pride Park since making the switch, while his goalkeeping helmet has already become iconic.

Derby County defenders

Kane Wilson

Without a recognised right-back for the 2022/23 campaign, Paul Warne moved quickly to put that right by landing Kane Wilson from Bristol City.

The youngster had previously impressed with Forest Green Rovers in League Two, but couldn’t quite hit the heights in the Championship before joining the Rams.

Craig Forsyth

As Derby County’s longest-serving player, Craig Forsyth has witnessed almost everything that could be seen over a 10 year span.

From play-off heartache to relegation, the defender finally has a promotion on his CV with the Rams.

Sonny Bradley

Sonny Bradley joined the Derby ranks in the summer of 2023, with hopes that the experienced central defender would add a winning edge to the squad.

The defender had previously captained Luton Town as they completed a meteoric rise towards the Premier League.

Eiran Cashin

One of the many recent academy graduates at Derby, Eiran Cashin has moved from youth football to senior matches with relative ease.

The centre-back has become a key figure in the backline since making his breakthrough.

Callum Elder

Derby looked to add further options to their left-back role by acquiring Callum Elder as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Hull City in 2023.

While injury blighted his first campaign with the Rams, there will be hopes that he can keep fit for their return to the Championship.

Joe Ward

Joe Ward joined Derby from Peterborough United as a free agent at the end of his contract in 2023, with an ability to play at full-back, wing-back and as a winger.

His speciality is crossing, able to cause problems from the wing and with set-pieces.

Ryan Nyambe

When injury hit Derby at right-back, Paul Warne dipped into the free-agent market once again in 2023 and landed Ryan Nyambe on a short-term deal.

The defender quickly impressed and cemented himself as a key player, eventually signing a contract extension in December 2023 and then again in the summer of 2024.

Jake Rooney

Jake Rooney joined Derby in the rebuild of 2022, following the expiration of his contract with Burnley and their academy.

The defender has been handed a number of first-team opportunities and happens to be the cousin of former Rams manager and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.

Injuries have impacted his time in the first-team so far, but he is looking to progress further once fit again.

Curtis Nelson

Adding yet further experience into the backline, Derby signed Curtis Nelson after he left Blackpool as a free agent.

The defender has been an ever-present force for the Rams since his arrival and won the player of the season award in his debut campaign.

Nat Phillips (on loan from Liverpool until 2025)

Derby County moved quickly on transfer deadline day in summer 2024, landing Nat Phillips on loan from Liverpool.

The centre-back previously impressed under Jurgen Klopp and will be looking to return to that form with the Rams.

Derby County midfielders

Liam Thompson

Liam Thompson is one of the latest from the academy contingent that has secured a place in the Derby first-team. The energetic midfielder made his debut in 2021, but has recently managed to become a key option to Paul Warne.

Tyrese Fornah (on loan at Salford City until 2025)

In an attempt to add some more dynamism to his midfield, Paul Warne landed Tyrese Fornah on a free transfer from rivals Nottingham Forest.

Ebou Adams

Paul Warne looked to improve the stability of his midfield ranks in the January 2024 transfer window and did so by landing Ebou Adams on loan from Cardiff City.

The ball-winning midfielder was a star of Forest Green Rovers’ rise to League One, but his move to the Bluebirds was impacted by injury.

The Gambian international certainly found his stride again with Derby, helping their push for promotion back to the Championship.

That led to plenty of clamour to bring him back to Pride Park, which the Rams did on a permanent deal in the summer of 2024.

Ben Osborn

Derby sealed a statement signing by announcing Ben Osborn as a free transfer in July 2024 following the expiration of his contract at Sheffield United.

The versatile midfielder came through the ranks at Nottingham Forest – scoring his first goal for them against the Rams – but he is actually a Derby fan.

That played a huge part in him making the switch to Pride Park, with hopes of becoming a star at the club.

David Ozoh (on loan from Crystal Palace until 2025)

David Ozoh joined Derby County on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace in search of more senior minutes.

The midfielder has impressed with Premier League cameos at Selhurst Park, with the promising youngster tipped for big things.

Kenzo Goudmijn

Derby took their scouting to Europe in the summer of 2024 by landing midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn from AZ Alkmaar.

The midfielder had impressed in a loan spell at Excelsior – despite facing relegation from the Eredivisie – which the Rams will hope translates to success in England.

Derby County forwards

Tom Barkhuizen

Versatile forward Tom Barkhuizen joined the ranks at Derby during the summer of 2022 following his exit from Preston North End.

The 30-year-old scored six and assisted five goals in his first campaign with the Rams.

James Collins

Derby looked to add quality to their forward line and did so by landing James Collins on a free transfer from Cardiff in 2022.

The experienced striker has a knack for scoring goals and has already proven that for the Rams.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

One of the stars of this Derby squad, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has impressed in the short time he has been at the club.

The winger penned a new contract extension in January 2024 that will keep him at the club until 2026.

Conor Washington

Derby strengthened their forward ranks further in the summer of 2023 as Paul Warne brought in Conor Washington from Rotherham United.

The striker had previously signed for the manager when he was with the Millers.

Corey Blackett-Taylor

Derby took their first dip into the January 2024 transfer market by landing Corey Blackett-Taylor from Charlton Athletic.

The winger joined on an initial loan deal that was later made permanent.

Jerry Yates (on loan from Swansea City until 2025)

Derby made an early move in the summer of 2024 by landing Jerry Yates on a loan spell from Swansea City.

While the striker struggled in his first campaign with the Swans, his record at Championship level has seen him score 18 goals with Blackpool.

Kayden Jackson

Kayden Jackson joined Derby in July 2024 as a free agent, hopeful of helping the Rams in their return to the Championship.

The forward, who can play as a striker or on the wings, enjoyed a spell at Portman Road that saw them earn double promotion from League One to the Premier League.

Tawanda Chirewa (on loan from Wolves until 2025)

Wolves youngster Tawanda Chirewa joined Derby on loan for the season, hopeful of adding some more firepower and creativity to the forward lines.

Marcus Harness (on loan from Ipswich Town until 2025)

Another late addition to the squad over the summer was Marcus Harness, who joined Derby on loan from Ipswich Town.

The versatile forward, who can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger, helped the Tractor Boys earn double promotion.