While fans look ahead to the January transfer window and the players Derby County may or may not sign, the club has already made one big move by tying down one of their most impressive performers this season to a new contract.
Derby County have made a bright start to the season in their return to the Championship, and the Rams are currently in the relatively lofty position of 12th in the table after 15 games.
While Paul Warne recruited fairly well in the summer, with the likes of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Kenzo Goudmijn integrating into the Derby County squad with ease, it is some of the more experienced players who have held things together for the Rams.
Now, one player who helped the club gain promotion last season, and who has been integral to the success of this campaign, has bagged himself a new contract.
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Curtis Nelson commits his future to Derby County
Taking to X/Twitter on Thursday afternoon, the club announced that Curtis Nelson had agreed a new contract that will keep him at Pride Park until 2026.
The centre-half has been one of Derby County’s most consistent performers over the last two seasons, having played every minute of the promotion-winning campaign in League One, and not missing a moment of the action in the Championship, either.
Paul Warne praised Curtis Nelson for his ‘unbelievable’ performances earlier this season, and the 31-year-old has even managed to chip in with two league goals, too.
Nelson’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, but he will now remain with the club until at least the end of the 2025/26 campaign, all being well.
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Curtis Nelson is crucial for Derby County
They say that securing new contracts for your best players can be just as important, if not more so, than any new signings, and that’s certainly the case with this development for Curtis Nelson.
It’s not surprising that Nelson has been locked in, either. Derby have been solid at the back this season, and that’s largely down to the leadership, composure, and discipline the big centre-half has shown so far.
| Statistic | Curtis Nelson 2024/25 (all competitions) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 17 |
| Minutes played | 1,501 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Tackles won per 90 | 0.54 |
| Blocks per 90 | 0.93 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 1.20 |
| Clearances per 90 | 2.27 |
| Pass completion % | 80.6 |
A defensive foundation is key to any team’s hopes, and with Derby looking to steer clear of relegation this year, if they can remain tight at the back, they will continue to be a very difficult team to beat.