Derby County is gearing up for their return to the Championship following last season’s promotion from League One.
Initially facing a rocky start, fans were quick to call for manager Paul Warne’s dismissal. Despite this, the Rams pulled off a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season, securing a commendable second-place finish just behind champions Portsmouth.
The summer has been a hive of activity at Pride Park as Warne reshapes his squad for the challenges ahead. Departures included seasoned players like Joe Wildsmith, Scott Loach, Conor Houirhane, Korey Smith, Martyn Waghorn, and Dwight Gayle, whose contracts with the club expired. The team has welcomed one new signing, midfielder Ben Osborn from Sheffield United, with the imminent loan signing of Swansea City striker Jerry Yates adding to the mix. And there are hints that the club’s transfer dealings are far from done.
According to reports from Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Derby is poised to secure former Ipswich Town striker Kayden Jackson on a three-year contract once his current deal at Portman Road runs out this weekend.
Jackson, a 30-year-old forward, had a rollercoaster journey at Ipswich, being part of the squad that achieved consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League in recent seasons.
Derby County enthusiast and pundit Shaun Woodward has voiced some reservations about Jackson’s goal-scoring abilities, but remains optimistic about his potential impact at Pride Park. Shaun shared his thoughts, stating, “Kayden Jackson might not instantly elevate our performance, but he brings versatility to our offensive lineup. Though not a prolific scorer historically, similar to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who found success at Derby, Jackson could carve out a niche here and offer us some rewarding seasons.”
He added, “While not expecting a drastic transformation upon bringing Jackson in, his addition, along with Osborn and a new goalkeeper, could bolster our squad significantly, making us a strong contender in the Championship. So, let’s stay hopeful that these moves will yield positive results.” In conclusion, the impending arrival of Kayden Jackson could prove to be a prudent move for Derby County.
It’s hard to argue with Shaun’s perspective that Jackson’s scoring statistics are less than impressive; however, despite not being a prolific goal-getter, he could still be a valuable addition to Derby.
Jackson managed three goals and five assists in 33 appearances for Ipswich last season, a performance that contributed to their promotion to the Premier League. His involvement in key matches towards the season’s end highlights the confidence manager Kieran McKenna had in him.
Adding to Derby’s attacking options, Jackson’s flexibility to play both on the wings and up front will be a valuable asset. If given the opportunity for consistent playtime at Pride Park, he might just rediscover his top form. The signings of Osborn, along with the expected arrivals of Yates and Jackson, indicate that manager Warne is seeking players with Championship experience this summer—a strategic move as Derby seeks to solidify their position in the league.