Following the departure of Joe Wildsmith at the conclusion of the previous season, Derby County is now on the lookout for a new goalkeeper as a top priority in this summer’s transfer window.

While rumors linking Mathew Ryan, the former Brighton goalkeeper, to the Rams have been circulating for the past month, there is also interest in Leicester City’s goalkeeper, Daniel Iversen.

With speculation suggesting that the Danish goalkeeper might be departing from the Foxes, a potential reunion with Paul Warne at Derby seems like a plausible scenario, considering their past working relationship. Iversen spent the latter half of the previous season on loan, and Derbyshire Live recently sat down with Pete Smith from the Stoke Sentinel to shed some light on the player who could potentially don the gloves for the Rams next season.

Upon joining Stoke in January after a prolonged period without game time, Iversen faced a challenging initiation. However, as the season progressed, he began to showcase his talents, making pivotal contributions that played a significant role in Stoke’s successful bid to avoid relegation.

Despite certain statistics suggesting otherwise, particularly regarding his shot-stopping abilities, Iversen displayed his value through crucial interventions and commanding presence in the penalty area. His strategic positioning and communication with the defense played a vital role in Stoke’s defensive solidity during key moments in matches.

In terms of feedback on his performances, Steven Schumacher was impressed and expressed his desire to continue working with loan players like Iversen who had made a positive impact. However, as Stoke sealed a deal for goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, the opportunity for Iversen to stay was limited.

Throughout his stint at Stoke, Iversen gradually won over the fans with his solid displays, despite a brief adjustment period. His consistency in goal was highlighted by the team’s improved defensive performances, culminating in a notable run of clean sheets towards the end of the season.

What was his most impressive showing?

The Middlesbrough match mentioned earlier was notable, but I might choose the Hull game, the first match after the last international break of the season. It was the type of comprehensive performance that he consistently delivered throughout the final stretch of games. Would Stoke have secured his signature if the financial terms were right?

If the deal with Leicester had been straightforward, it would have been logical to retain a goalkeeper who seemed comfortable on loan. However, the situation was far from simple, especially considering Leicester’s promotion, the high player wages, and the transfer fees they demanded.

There haven’t been any objections regarding the decision to sign Johansson instead. Even if Iversen had been an option on loan, it was crucial for Stoke to acquire their own number one this summer. The club has leaned on loan players for too long and has experienced setbacks due to recalls, form fluctuations, and players needing time to regain sharpness.

Would he make a valuable addition to Derby?

Absolutely. He is a reliable goalkeeper in the Championship and possesses a strong character. Even if he were to return to Stoke as an opponent sporting a Derby jersey, he would likely receive a warm reception (Short answer).