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Derby County fans have been left confused by the announcement of a new signing this week.
With relegation from the Championship a real possibility, John Eustace has taken to the free-agent market to strengthen his squad.
Derby County have won their last three league fixtures but remain 22nd in the division going into the next round of games.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 20 |  Stoke CityStoke City | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 39 |
| 21 |  CardiffCardiff | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 42 | 62 | -20 | 39 |
| 22 |  DerbyDerby | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 38 |
| 23 |  LutonLuton | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 35 |
| 24 |  PlymouthPlymouth | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 40 | 77 | -37 | 33 |
Derby have been told they will be relegated by one expert despite the recent upturn in form under their new manager.
But in a bid to avoid the drop and strengthen what is currently a small squad, they have now added a free agent to their ranks.
- READ MORE: Leeds United promoted and Derby County relegated as supercomputer decides final Championship table
Derby County fans suggest players is injured after Erik Pieters signing
The man in question is former West Brom player Erik Pieters, who has been a free agent since leaving Luton Town on January 19th, 2025.
The Dutchman has signed a deal that will keep him at Pride Park until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
After the announcement was made, Derby fans have taken to social media to ask the same question. Who is injured?
One fan wrote: “@dcfcofficial Who’s injured then lads?”
A second added: “Assuming Langas’ injury is worse than thought then? Decent cover if that’s the case, plenty of experience. Better than trying Ebou at CB like the previous management would’ve done…”
“I’ll take it but who’s injured or what’s gone on?” another questioned.
A fourth wrote: “BBC sport have literally said he’s been training for 2 weeks. I’d imagine it’s cover and bodies that we need.”
“I presume Lang is injured,” a fifth added, while a sixth Derby fan stated: “So we’ve had another injury then.”
While many suggested Sondre Langas is injured, it’s worth pointing out he lined for Norway over the break.
As a result, Pieters may simply have been signed to provide depth with Ben Osborne injured.
Erik Pieters shares what he will bring to Derby County
Prior to making the move to Derby, Pieters spent time training with Middlesbrough amid Michael Carrick’s ongoing defensive crisis, but Boro did not offer him a contract.
On completing his move to the relegation strugglers this week, he told the club’s official website:
“I’ve been to other places this season, I was with Luton in pre-season and in December and January. Before I came here, I had also trained with Middlesbrough.
“Then the gaffer sent me a message saying: ‘What’s your situation?’ I was still a free agent, and I’m ready to go. I have trained with the lads – and the gaffer was pleased with it.”
Now 36, Pieters has had a prolific career across England, playing 61 times for West Brom and lining out on over 200 occasions for Stoke City.
He is a versatile defender who can operate all across the backline but has largely played as a centre-back this season.
On what he will bring to Derby, Pieters added: “I think I can help the team out with my experience. Behind the scenes, I will be helping everyone through these eight games. It was really important to stay in the league.
“Everyone knows that if you have wins on the board, it helps the momentum going. It’s just a shame that there’s a break in between matches recently, an international break. But the lads are looking good, and everyone is ready for the final eight games.”