A former Derby County youngster is currently on trial with Championship club Sunderland.
Derby County are accustomed to letting go of talented youngsters, some by choice and others they’ve let slip through the net.
During their financial ruin under Mel Morris, the Rams saw multiple youngsters depart Pride Park while they were in administration and have gone on to achieve excellence.
17-year-old James Scanlon, who joined Manchester United in 2021, made his international debut for Gibraltar last month.
In the same year, Derby were forced to part ways with Archie Brown and reports have recently emerged that Chelsea and West Ham are now interested in the attacking left-back.
Omari Kellyman, meanwhile, is arguably the most talented youngster they’ve seen leave recently, having watched the 18-year-old attacking midfielder make his European debut for Aston Villa.
The latest youngster they’ve appeared to let depart by choice is goalkeeper Lewis Ridd.
Who is Lewis Ridd
19-year-old shot-stopper Lewis Ridd was one of several additions to Derby County’s under-21 ranks ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Arriving at Pride Park following his release from Championship side Ipswich Town, the youngster previously enjoyed loan spells at AFC Sudbury, Bury Town and Brightlingsea Regent in non-league football to gain match experience.
The four-cap Wales under-19 international looked like a promising addition to Derby’s youth set-up, however, his time at the club hasn’t transpired as he would have hoped.
Academy coach Jake Buxton has preferred to use 17-year-old Jack Thompson between the sticks for the under-21s.
It means that Ridd has yet to appear in Premier League 2 and it doesn’t appear he will anytime soon.
Lewis Ridd is on trial at Championship side Sunderland
Despite being loaned out to non-league side Mickleover Sports in January, Ridd is currently on trial with Championship side Sunderland.
That is according to the Sunderland Echo, who claim that the teenager was named as a trialist for Sunderland’s under-21s on Wednesday afternoon, coming from behind to win 4-2 against Huddersfield in a Central League fixture.
The report states that the Derby goalkeeper was drafted into their set-up following an injury to 19-year-old goalkeeper Dan Cameron.
It hasn’t been said whether there is an agreement between the Rams and the Black Cats to take Ridd on trial, but given he’s been allowed to explore his options elsewhere, it points towards the young goalkeeper leaving permanently in the summer.
Ridd will want to impress during his trial in the North East to either bag a contract at Sunderland or attract other potential suitors.
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