Derby County: New Investment, Premier League Ambitions & More New Faces On The Way

Derby County: New Investment, Premier League Ambitions & More New Faces On The Way

Derby County have begun the 2025/26 Championship season in challenging fashion. With one draw and two defeats from their opening three league games, the Rams sit 20th in the table. Their difficulties were compounded last night as they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup, losing 2–1 to Burnley.

Yet behind the results, Derby are undergoing a period of transformation. New investment is expected to bolster the squad, and the club has been active in the transfer market, securing loans, free transfers, and key purchases, while continuing to pursue further reinforcements. Coupled with injuries to key players, this season promises to test the squad, managerial decision-making, and the impact of new signings. This feature explores the current challenges facing Derby, their recruitment strategy, incoming investment, and the roadmap for a push back to the Premier League.

Early Season Challenges

The Rams’ start has been far from ideal. Injuries to key players have disrupted consistency, with Curtis Nelson (CB), Owen Beck (LB), Kane Wilson (RB), and Lars-Jørgen Salvesen (CF) sidelined. Midfielder Ben Osborn remains out with a hamstring issue, while Patrick Agyemang is recovering from an inguinal hernia. These absences, combined with a thin squad, have contributed to a difficult opening three games, where Derby earned just one point. The early Carabao Cup exit against Burnley only adds to the pressure.

Manager John Eustace has been forced to rotate heavily to cover gaps, and the results so far highlight the challenge of blending new signings with a squad disrupted by injury. The opening weeks have shown that Derby’s ambitions will rely heavily on the timely integration of reinforcements and the return of key players.

Patrick Agyemang made his return to training on Monday as did Lars Jorgen-Salvesen. Injury situation starting to ease, but won't be back until after international break. John Eustace said it was a 'massive bonus' to see them back. #DCFC #DCFCfans https://t.co/n4Sd5mUhOJ

— Leigh Curtis (@LeighCurtis_DT) August 27, 2025

Premier League History and Recent Promotion Attempts

Derby County last competed in the Premier League during the 2007–08 season, a campaign that ended in relegation with several unwanted records, including the fewest points (11) and wins (1) in Premier League history. Since then, the club has made multiple attempts to return to the top flight, with notable near-misses in 2014 and 2019. Both seasons saw Derby reach the Championship play-off final, only to lose narrowly—1–0 to Queens Park Rangers in 2014 and 2–1 to Aston Villa in 2019.

These experiences have shaped the club’s long-term planning. The focus now is on building a squad capable of avoiding past pitfalls and competing for automatic promotion, rather than relying solely on play-off campaigns.

Investment and Ambition

Behind the scenes, Derby County are undergoing a significant financial transformation. Owner David Clowes is seeking external investment to strengthen both the squad and club infrastructure, though the identities of the investors remain undisclosed. The club has been deliberately cautious with communications to avoid inflating player prices, ensuring that negotiations remain private while preserving bargaining power. The targeted investment is not just about immediate signings—it represents a long-term vision aimed at restoring Derby to the Premier League and sustaining top-flight stability.

The anticipated investment is expected to allow Derby to target higher-quality players across multiple positions, improve training and medical facilities, and enhance the club’s scouting and youth development systems. By combining financial backing with an intelligent recruitment strategy, the club aims to create a foundation capable of challenging for automatic promotion, rather than relying solely on the uncertainty of play-off campaigns. It also provides the flexibility to make bold moves in the transfer market, with several deals already executed quietly this window, including high-profile acquisitions like Patrick Agyemang.

The financial boost is not just about on-pitch performance. The investors’ ambitions reportedly extend to broader club development, including long-term infrastructure improvements, stadium enhancements, and community engagement initiatives. This holistic approach signals a commitment to sustainable growth rather than short-term fixes. By aligning ambition with structure and resources, Derby are positioning themselves to avoid the pitfalls that have hampered previous promotion campaigns.

John Eustace has been candid about the current limitations of the squad, describing it as “still light” in certain areas. The combination of investment and strategic signings is intended to address these gaps, giving the manager the tools to implement his vision while ensuring depth across the squad. For Derby supporters, the ongoing investment and clear ambition offer hope that the club’s trajectory can change this season, transforming a challenging start into a campaign capable of competing at the top end of the Championship.

"David Clowes has done an exemplary job"
Former Derby County Chairman Andy Appleby says he's happy to help in any way in the Rams search for investment. This month marks ten years since his GSW group sold the club to Mel Morris.

Hear his full interview in Sportscene at Six.… pic.twitter.com/LhUdonsrOl

— BBC Sport Derby (@BBCDerbySport) June 9, 2025

Transfer Strategy: Strengthening the Squad

Derby have been active in the summer transfer window. Ten new players have joined, most on loans or free transfers. Patrick Agyemang arrived from Charlotte FC for around £5.9 million, providing pace and finishing ability. Free transfers included Rhian Brewster, Andreas Weimann, Danny Batth, and Richard O’Donnell, blending experience and versatility across positions. Loan signings such as Bobby Clark, Dion Sanderson, Owen Beck, and David Ozoh add depth to the squad.

The club have also completed the signing of Lewis Travis from Blackburn Rovers. The midfielder, known for his leadership and extensive Championship experience, joins for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal and will wear the No. 27 shirt for the Rams. Meanwhile, Max Johnston arrives from Sturm Graz in a move worth up to £3.5 million, signing a four-year contract after two seasons in Austria to bolster Derby’s defensive options. Derby remain in the market for wingers before the deadline, with Sergi Canós among those linked, while Premier League loans are also being explored to add attacking creativity. Head coach John Eustace admitted the squad is “still light” in certain areas, underlining the urgency to secure further reinforcements before the window closes.

BREAKING: Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston has agreed terms on a four-year deal with Derby County 🚨 pic.twitter.com/QXPXlKOHTv

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 26, 2025

Outgoings and Squad Reshaping

Derby have also managed a number of departures this summer, reshaping the squad to accommodate new arrivals. Notable exits include defenders Sonny Bradley, Erik Pieters, and Nat Phillips; midfielders Jeff Hendrick and Tyrese Fornah; and forwards Conor Washington, Kemar Roofe, Tom Barkhuizen, Marcus Harness, and Harrison Armstrong. Goalkeeper Rohan Luthra and winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing have also moved on. These changes open opportunities for new signings to take on key roles, while providing the club with flexibility to strengthen positions that were previously thin.

In terms of potential departures, Ben Osborn and Dajune Brown are expected to depart the club on loan deals before the transfer window closes this coming Monday.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Derby County now enter a pivotal phase of the season where the integration of new signings and the return of injured players will be crucial. With the squad currently in 20th place and an early Carabao Cup exit against Burnley, the pressure is already mounting. The next few weeks will test not only the players’ ability to adapt to Eustace’s system but also the manager’s capacity to extract performances from a squad still affected by injuries and rotation challenges.

The blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent offers potential, but consistency has so far been elusive. How quickly the new signings, including Lewis Travis and Max Johnston, can settle into the team may determine whether Derby can climb out of the relegation-threatened zone or continue to struggle in the lower half of the table. Fixtures against mid-table and fellow lower-ranked teams will be particularly vital, offering opportunities to build confidence and momentum.

Beyond the immediate results, Derby must balance short-term needs with long-term ambitions. While wins are essential, the club must also focus on squad cohesion, tactical implementation, and player development. This balancing act will be a defining factor in whether Derby can transform early-season struggles into a platform for success. Effective use of the upcoming transfer window, combined with the tactical flexibility of the squad, could turn early adversity into a season of progress.

🗣 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 🗣

“The basics we’re just not doing good enough.”

Derby County head coach John Eustace wants to see an improvement defensively after his side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Premier League side Burnley.

Hear the full post-match interview on the Derby… pic.twitter.com/zB1EI4f8vR

— BBC Sport Derby (@BBCDerbySport) August 26, 2025

Can Derby Turn Ambition Into Success This Season?

Derby County’s season is shaping up as a test of patience, strategy, and resilience. Despite a challenging start, there is optimism that a combination of targeted investment, strategic signings, and managerial acumen can shift the club’s trajectory. John Eustace’s acknowledgment that the squad is “still light” in certain areas underlines the reality that more reinforcements are required for a serious promotion push, but it also reflects a measured approach focused on building a balanced and sustainable squad.

The club’s long-term vision, underpinned by investor backing, provides the framework to address previous shortcomings in depth and infrastructure. New additions such as Lewis Travis, Max Johnston, and Patrick Agyemang have the potential to be transformative if they integrate quickly and effectively. Coupled with experienced figures in the squad, these signings could form the backbone of a side capable of mounting a challenge for higher positions in the Championship.

For supporters and stakeholders, the central question remains: can Derby turn ambition into tangible results? The early-season setbacks highlight the scale of the task, but the club’s proactive recruitment, financial reinforcement, and realistic planning offer hope. The coming weeks will be critical, with early victories not only essential for league survival but also for building belief that the club can fulfill its Premier League ambitions. Success will require careful management of injuries, precise tactical execution, and the seamless integration of new players—but if achieved, it could mark the start of a new, upward chapter for Derby County.