Derby County have finally sealed a new goalkeeper, signing Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Swedish side Djurgardens.
The Rams have had to wait patiently to land their top target with the gloves, but Paul Warne has eventually got his man.
Derby agreed a £1.4million deal with Djugardens for Zetterstrom last month, however, there was a delay in the agreement.
That was due to the team’s inclusion in the Europa Conference League, with qualifiers playing out over the last few weeks.
The 26-year-old shot-stopper helped seal Djurgardens a place into the latter rounds of the competition’s qualifiers, most recently beating Finnish outfit Ilves.
With that match out of the way, Zetterstrom will now finally meet up with the Derby squad and begin life at Pride Park, having signed until 2027.
- READ MORE: Derby County confirmed signings, transfer ins and outs, loans and releases for 2024 summer window
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom discusses Derby County transfer
After sealing his long-awaited move from Djurgardens, Zetterstrom sat down with the Derby media team to discuss the switch.
Speaking to RamsTV about the transfer, he said: “It feels amazing, great to be here, I can’t wait.”
When asked about the drawn-out process of the transfer, he said: “Well it’s definitely been a long one and considering it has been it’s been quite a tough one as well mentally.
“Perhaps thinking you might move next week and then having a game the day after, it’s been a difficult one but it’s also been an amazing journey and I’m very happy to be here.”
“It looked emotional and it really was,” the goalkeeper said on his farewell to Djurgardens on Thursday night.
“I’ve been in Djurgardens basically my entire football career and I’ve played there in that stadium for four years straight now and goodbyes are always difficult, especially if you always have such a great time.
“I knew it was going to be emotional but you can’t really prepare for that.”
The move to Derby will be a new experience for Zetterstrom, but it’s one that he is looking forward to with plenty of joy.
“Extremely excited, it’s a huge club, amazing fans and I’m extremely excited,” he added.
Warne and goalkeeping coach Andy Warrington have been in contact with the shot-stopper over the past few weeks ahead of the move, which has taken its time.
However, with injury avoided and his team through to the next round, it appears as though the deal has finally worked for all parties.
Derby transfer decisions
So with Zetterstrom finally through the door at Moor Farm, attention will have to turn towards the final pieces of business before the window closes.
Warne has already outlined his desire to bolster his backline, midfield and striker options in the next two weeks.
Derby are closing in on a new player, Warne confirmed in his pre-Middlesbrough press conference, though it remains to be seen who.
There will be a lot of decisions to make in the coming weeks, but Derby can finally rest easy over their goalkeeper now.