Derby County has officially announced the permanent signing of midfielder Ebou Adams from Cardiff City.
Adams, 28, made a significant impact during his loan spell with the Rams after joining Paul Warne’s squad in the January 2024 transfer window.
The Gambian international quickly became a favorite among the Pride Park fans, thanks to his relentless work rate and the spirit he brought to the midfield, which had been lacking before his arrival.
With Adams at the heart of the team, Derby secured numerous victories, leading to their promotion from League One.
Naturally, this sparked questions about a permanent move, which has now been confirmed.
Ebou Adams’ First Words as a New Derby County Signing
Adams, now a permanent member of the Derby squad, shared his feelings about the move.
Speaking to the official club website, he said: “I can’t describe it [the emotions of joining Derby]. I’m over the moon and happy that it’s finally done. It’s been a long time coming.” He added, “Nothing is certain in life, but I was really hoping this would go through. I’m very grateful it has, and now I can continue smiling and enjoying myself.”
Reflecting on the wait to finalize the move, Adams said: “I had to be patient. I talked to family and friends who advised me not to think about it too much, so I took a holiday to enjoy time with family and played in internationals. They told me to enjoy the moment and not stress about it, which helped me keep my sanity.”
He continued, “I trained with Cardiff for a couple of weeks and stayed patient. Now that it’s happened, I’m here and can’t wait to get started.”
Looking ahead to the new season, Adams said: “I can’t wait. Shall we go and train now? [Laughs]. No, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s good to be back.”
Ebou Adams’ Move a Sign of Intent
Securing Adams is a clear indication of Derby’s ambition to establish themselves in the Championship for the long term.
Adams’ impressive performances during his loan spell have set high expectations for his permanent stint at Pride Park.
Joining the ranks of other signings like Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates, and Kenzo Goudmijn, Adams’ addition could propel the team to new heights.