Derby County’s acquisition of Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is facing delays due to his upcoming commitments with his current club, Djurgardens.

As Derby County prepares for their return to the Championship, their goalkeeping options are limited, with Josh Vickers being the only recognized first-team goalkeeper on their roster. Strengthening this position is a top priority for manager Paul Warne this summer.

The Rams had been linked to several goalkeepers, including Mathew Ryan, who has since joined AS Roma, and Leicester City’s Daniel Iversen, although valuation differences have stalled progress on that front. Former Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak, now a free agent, was also considered among other potential candidates from the Championship.

Ultimately, Derby County focused on Widell Zetterstrom, with Swedish outlet Expressen reporting an agreement with Djurgardens for a £1.43 million deal for the 26-year-old, who had also attracted interest from Wolves.

However, complications have emerged in finalizing the transfer. Last Friday, Paul Warne acknowledged targeting a goalkeeper but mentioned hurdles in completing the deal. According to journalist Dominic Dietrich, the complication pertains to Widell Zetterstrom’s obligations with Djurgardens.

Widell Zetterstrom is set to play in his team’s upcoming Europa Conference League qualifying matches on July 25th and August 1st. This commitment means he cannot join Derby until after these games, giving him minimal time to prepare for Derby’s season opener against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

The timing also implies that Widell Zetterstrom may miss all pre-season matches with Derby, which is less than ideal for a significant new signing. While his match fitness should not be a concern, given his active participation in the Swedish top division, his lack of integration time with Derby’s squad could affect team chemistry at the start of the campaign.

This season is crucial for Derby County as they aim to re-establish themselves in the Championship. Ensuring all key players are well-integrated and in sync is vital, making the delayed arrival of Widell Zetterstrom a notable challenge for the team.