A former Derby County player has finally found a new club after leaving Pride Park this summer.
The Rams made 12 signings during the 2024 summer transfer window in order to improve their squad and replace a number of players who departed over the summer.
Long-time servant Louie Sibley’s exit on a free came as quite a shock to the Pride Park faithful.
Paul Warne was forced to dip into the market and sign a new goalkeeper after Joe Wildsmith departed on a free transfer.
The Derbyshire outfit also lost four central midfielders in the summer transfer window but have replaced the likes of Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith with top talents such as Kenzo Goudmijn and David Ozoh.
Further forward, Derby’s striker ranks took a hit when Martyn Waghorn and Dwight Gayle left as free agents.
The pair were part of a PFA Free Agent team that took on Cambridge United in a friendly at the back end of August.
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Former Derby County striker Dwight Gayle joins Hibernian
Waghorn remains without a club following the September international break but his ex-striking partner has now found a new home several months after leaving Derby.
The 34-year-old has joined Scottish Premier League side Hibernian on a free transfer.
The club confirmed the move on Thursday afternoon and Head Coach David Gray has already praised Gayle, as per Hibs’ official website.
He said: “It’s great to be able to bring Dwight to the Club. He’s performed at a top level throughout his career and has a real desire to show his abilities here in Scotland.
“He’s a different type of striker to what we currently have in the building. He’s a real penalty box type of striker, a great finisher, and his experience will be of great benefit to us. I look forward to working with him.”
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Should Paul Warne have kept Dwight Gayle at Derby County
After two strikers left the club over the summer, Warne opted to sign Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson to replace them.
Jackson has performed well on the right wing while Yates is yet to get up to speed in a Debry shirt.
Warne wanted to sign another striker during the summer transfer window but failed to do so.
In turn, Yates will be relied upon heavily until January, perhaps leading Warne to regret his decision to let Gayle, who he dubbed ‘unique’ as per Derbyshire Live, leave at the end of 2023/24.
Gayle only made six appearances for Derby in League One but was still able to score three and assist one.
His age and lack of minutes over the last year means he is unlikely to be able to play every game this season, but he still could have been a useful option off the bench for Warne.