Derby County recently announced the signing of former Premier League star Ben Osborn.
Paul Warne has certainly not strolled into the new Championship season without intent of bringing plenty of fresh faces to Pride Park.
Derby County achieved automatic promotion in the 2023/24 league campaign, however with significant names Conor Hourihane, Korey Smith and Dwight Gayle being amongst a lengthy list of players released, bodies were needed through the door and fast.
They are weighing up a move abroad for young Eredivisie midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn, as well as considering a newly-promoted Premier League man Idris El Mizouni, with competition coming in the form of fellow promoted side Oxford United.
Derby County have also had their first confirmed arrival ahead of the 2024/25 season in Ben Osborn, who has signed for the club for free following his release at Sheffield United.
Derby County signing Ben Osborn on the expected reaction from Nottingham Forest fans
Osborn tallied up 212 first team appearances for Nottingham Forest, who he signed for as a youth player following a release from Derby County.
Speaking to the club, he said: “It’s been five years since I left Forest. They picked me up when Derby let me go and gave me a career.
“Most will understand my decision in coming here but there’s always going to be a bit of stick and rivalry.”
The midfielder played on 24 occasions in the Premier League this season for Sheffield United, who were relegated in 20th place.
What will Ben Osborn offer to Derby County
Warne’s vision for his 2024/25 starting lineup undoubtedly sees the 29-year-old in the heart of midfield and acting as the spine of the team.
With midfield leaders Smith and Hourihane already departed from Pride Park, Osborn fills that gap of a leader in the centre of the park, one which has the added bonuses of Premier League experience and a player entering their prime playing age.
Despite a widely unsuccessful season for Sheffield United, where few players performed, he has had two previous Premier League seasons with the Blades, the first of which he was often utilised in the latter stages of the Premier League season where they finished in a widely impressive 9th place.
Osborn could have easily been touted by a Championship side gunning for promotion, therefore Derby have done incredibly well to seal their first signing, one which could very easily persuade more high level players to join.
The post 'A bit of stick...': Ben Osborn says how he thinks Nottingham Forest fans will react to Derby County move appeared first on Derby County News.