Versatile midfielder who is 'on the way' to Derby County profiled as Paul Warne targets second signing

Derby County look to be closing in on their second signing of the summer.

After snapping up Ben Osborn, the Rams are continuing their hunt for new midfielders.

Derby County parted ways with Ebou Adams, Korey Smith, Max Bird and Conor Hourihane this summer, leaving them lacking in options in the middle of the park.

It now looks like they could wrap up a deal for Kenzo Goudmijn though, with Dutch outlet BN DeStem reporting that he is ‘on the way’ to Pride Park.

The Rams are set to snap him up permanently, though the transfer is yet to be completed and he continues to receive plenty of interest elsewhere.

De Telegraaf have claimed that Robin Van Persie already held talks with Goudmijn in Ibiza last month over a potential move to SC Heerenveen, who finished eleventh in the league table last season. However, it looks like they have missed out to Derby.

Goudmijn career so far

Goudmijn began his senior career at AZ Alkmaar, having spent nine years in their academy.

The midfielder made his debut for second team Jong AZ in 2018 and made 84 appearances for the U21 side, claiming 18 goal contributions.

Goudmijn then went out on loan to Sparta Rotterdam, where he made 12 appearances before joining Excelsior in 2021.

The youngster has spent most of the previous three years on loan with Excelsior, making 83 appearances before returning to his parent club following their relegation from Eredivisie.

Goudmijn has managed 20 appearances for AZ’s first team, but now looks set to leave the club in search of regular minutes.

The 22-year-old’s versatility has been a valuable asset in his career so far, though has played mostly in central midfield.

However, he has made 48 appearances from attacking midfield and another 19 in defensive midfield, as well as giving it a go in left midfield, left wing, right wing, right midfield, centre-forward and even centre-back.

Player profile

Goudmijn to Derby County analysis

Derby County desperately need to bolster their midfield and looking abroad could be a sensible option.

Goudmijn is incredibly versatile and that could come in very handy from match to match, depending on who the Rams are coming up against in the Championship.

The Dutchman won the second-most dribbles in the Excelsior squad last term (44), despite often being asked to play as a deep midfielder.

Having spent a lot of his career so far playing for the second team or out on loan, Goudmijn needs time to develop and grow, so it is unclear whether he could make an immediate impact at Pride Park.

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