Derby County have confirmed yet more changes to the squad ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
The Rams are preparing for their return to the second tier after Paul Warne secured promotion to League One last season.
The Derby County boss impressed with his side, turning them around from administration back to the Championship at the second time of asking.
While there was plenty of enjoyment about that campaign, the real challenge begins now as the Pride Park outfit looks to stabilise in the division.
It means a busy summer transfer window, with Ben Osborn the first Derby signing through the door so far.
Kayden Jackson followed as Derby transfer number two before Jerry Yates was confirmed as a new Rams player on loan for the campaign.
With plenty of movement on the incomings, there is also news of an outgoing from the squad.
- READ MORE: Derby County confirmed signings, transfer ins and outs, loans and releases for 2024 summer window
Derby confirm Louie Sibley exit
Following the expiry of his contract, Derby have confirmed that academy graduate Louie Sibley will be leaving the club this summer.
The 22-year-old was tipped for big things in the youth ranks, helping the under-18s win the league and earn a place in European competition the next season.
The Rams secured a memorable win over Borussia Dortmund that next campaign with a side that included Sibley as well as Eiran Cashin, Lee Buchanan, Liam Thompson, Festy Ebosele and Morgan Whittaker.
Playing as an attacking midfielder, the sky was the limit for Sibley as he scored on his first start against Blackburn Rovers before bagging a hat-trick the next game against Millwall – during a 2019/20 season that was disrupted by the pandemic.
From there, the Rams never quite found a place to play the youngster and he struggled to break into the team consistently.
Even with the drop into League One, and a few moments of magic, Sibley struggled in securing a guaranteed place in the side.
That was until the most recent season, Warne relied on the versatile midfielder to play as a left-wing-back due to injury.
Sibley made 44 appearances across all competitions and played a key role in helping the Rams earn promotion.
However, with his contract expiring in the summer, Derby have confirmed the 22-year-old has left despite new terms being offered.
Louie Sibley position problem
With Sibley’s exit now confirmed, many will be left wondering what could’ve been for the boyhood Derby fan who had the world at his feet.
It isn’t too long ago that – perhaps somewhat jokingly – the midfielder was compared to Jude Bellingham, who has gone on to shine at the very top level.
Sibley has, instead, struggled to convince at times with his position being the biggest conundrum left for several managers to solve.
The youngster was used as a winger, an attacking midfielder, a central midfielder and a left-back throughout his time in the senior team.
Within each of those roles, he never quite managed to usurp his competition and guarantee his place every week.
Whether Sibley’s potential struggled to be fulfilled with Derby in particular is down to the club, himself or many other factors is an unknown.
However, many will be left thinking about how it could have gone, with the chance for him to forge a new path and rediscover his best form elsewhere.