Danny Batth sends Blackburn Rovers a classy message after Derby County move, he will be a big miss

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After John Eustace’s side flirted with relegation within the 2024/25 Championship campaign, Derby County have made an excellent start to the summer transfer window.

Derby County finished just one point above the relegation zone in the Championship table, with head coach John Eustace masterminding the Rams’ survival from League One demotion.

Derby were dealt a major blow earlier in the summer after former Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips signed for West Brom, favouring a move to Ryan Mason’s side over a permanent return to Pride Park.

With goals conceded a major issue for the Rams last season, Derby locked Matt Clarke down on new terms, to bolster their backline ahead of next season.

This week, EFL veteran Danny Batth left Blackburn Rovers for Derby and has sent a classy message to his former employers after his switch was confirmed.

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Danny Batth’s classy message to Blackburn Rovers after Derby County move

Batth reunites with former Rovers boss Eustace to pen a one-year deal at Derby, with it being the second consecutive summer window that Eustace has signed the stalwart centre-half.

Derby fans reacted to Batth’s signing in unison, with Rams supporter base more than content with the acquisition of the 34-year-old defender.

At Blackburn, however, Rovers fans reacted to Batth’s departure alongside Andreas Weimann in a more divisive manner.

Some of the Ewood Park faithful wanted the duo to stay, and others were happy to see the pair depart for Derby during this summer transfer window.

Amid his move to Derby, Batth said on X: “Thankyou Rovers loved it last season,

“I feel the club is in a much better position than when I joined. Good luck in the future”.

Batth signed for Blackburn last summer on a free transfer after leaving Norwich City, and his presence in the Rovers backline in the 2024/25 campaign would certainly add weight to the defender’s claims.

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Danny Batth was crucial for Blackburn Rovers’ resurgence in 2024/25

Former Sunderland centre-back Batth scored two goals in 37 Championship appearances for Rovers in his maiden campaign.

In 2023/24, Blackburn finished the Championship season in 19th place, just three points above Birmingham City, who finished 22nd.

Since Batth arrived, in one season of second tier action, Rovers have gone from relegation candidates to top-six contenders, with Valerien Ismael’s side narrowly missing out on a play-off place in the 2024/25 season after finishing 7th.

When analysing the change in Blackburn metrics since Batth’s arrival, the pivotal role that the former Stoke City centre-back played Rovers’ resurgence towards the top half of the Championship table is glaringly obvious.

Derby were last in the top flight 17 years ago, and although a similar jump in the ilk of Blackburn would be a shock for the Rams this season, the presence of Batth will undoubtedly aid Eustace’s side’s attempt to impact the top half of the table in the 2025/26 Championship campaign.