John Eustace faces League One competition as Derby County start talks with free agent defender

Add as preferred source on Google

Defensively, Derby County were strong in the Championship last season and it was that solidity at the back that ensured their second tier status for another year.

The Rams are yet to make a signing in the summer transfer window, but there is more than enough time for John Eustace to make the changes that he needs to ensure that his team are towards the more positive end of the table in 2025/26.

Derby are in need of a new striker following Jerry Yates’ return to Swansea City, but it is clear to see that their head coach is keen to strengthen throughout the team after club CEO Stephen Pearce revealed their plans for the window.

The next few weeks are going to be busy at Pride Park, which has just had its pitch relayed, and now they look to be closing in on their first signing.

• READ MORE – Is this the best Derby County XI of the 21st century?

Derby County open talks with Paudie O’Connor

Paudie O’Connor is set to leave Lincoln City at the end of June as his contract comes to an end at the Sincil Bank Stadium, and there are plenty of clubs showing an interest in his services.

However, Derbyshire Live have claimed in a fresh report on Tuesday that Derby are in talks with the centre-back over a deal to bring him to DE24 this summer.

The Rams do face competition from League One sides Barnsley and Huddersfield Town, one of the favourites for the third tier title, but with their Championship status they may just be able to entice him to Pride Park.

There are also a host of sides in the second tier who are also interested in the 27-year-old, and Eustace will be looking to work quickly to get this one over the line.

• READ MORE – Derby County’s five most expensive signings of all time as the Rams await investment

The Rams have had previous success when scouting players with limited Championship experience

O’Connor’s Championship experience is very limited, having made just four appearances in the division so far in his career but he has proven on countless occasions his class in League One.

Similarly, when Derby signed Kane Wilson in the summer of 2023, he had not played much football above League Two and it was a risk signing him. However, he has excelled at Pride Park at right-back as supporters await news about a new contract on top of the one year extension he triggered in May.

Ebou Adams, who praised Eustace after the Rams stayed in the Championship, was an unknown entity when he arrived in January 2024. But he quickly fitted in and has gone on to become one of the club’s most important players, and he is now the captain.

Signing from a division below does bring risks, but O’Connor has the quality to step up, and with others around him he will excel at this level.