Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is quickly becoming a class act on and off the pitch for Derby County.
Following the exit of Joe Wildsmith on a free transfer at the end of 2023/24, Paul Warne spent most of the summer transfer window searching for a new goalkeeper.
Derby County agreed to sign Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Djurgardens but the keeper’s move to Pride Park was delayed because of the Swedish side’s involvement in the Europa Conference League.
Zetterstrom eventually made the switch to England midway through August and watched on from the stands as Derby beat Middlesbrough 1-0.
The 26-year-old was then handed his Championship debut for the Rams the following weekend, starting the 2-1 loss away to Watford.
The one-time capped international has since notched a further three league appearances for Warne’s side.
Derby fans raved about Zetterstrom following his performance in the 3-0 drubbing of Bristol City prior to the international break.
Then, after beating Cardiff City 2-0 over the weekend, Zetterstrom was named in the Championship Team of the Week.
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Jacob Widell Zetterstrom makes touching gesture to Derby County academy player
Prior to moving to England, the shot-stopper sustained a head injury in 2020.
This saw Zetterstrom kept on the sidelines for a number of months prior to making his Djurgarden debut and he has since worn a Petr Cech-like head guard in every game he has played.
Now, Derby’s number one has made a touching gesture to one of the Rams’ academy goalkeepers.
Derby’s official academy X/Twitter page shared a photo of Zetterstrom alongside an U13 keeper named Josh, who the Swede came to visit this week after the youngster suffered a head injury over the weekend.
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Jacob Widell Zetterstrom can help Derby County break a club record
While Derby were expected to struggle in the Championship this season, they are currently sitting in a very respectable eighth place following their first five league fixtures.
A key reason for Warne’s men starting the season so well has been their superb home record.
The Rams have beaten Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Cardiff while playing at home this term.
In said games, two of which Zetterstrom has started, the Derbyshire outfit have managed to keep three clean sheets.
A solid defensive record and strong home form will be key to Derby staying in the Championship beyond 2024/25 but their recent run suggests they could be on course to break, or at least match, a club record.
With Steve McClaren at the helm, Derby managed seven consecutive shutouts when playing at home in the league in 2016/17 – the most in the club’s history.
Warne’s men have kept three home clean sheets on the spin so far this season but Zetterstrom’s early form suggests he could help them break that record in 2024/25.