Derby County

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Derby County have confirmed Danny Batth has left the club after failing to reach a new contract agreement with the defender.

The Championship side tabled an offer to keep the 35-year-old beyond his one-year deal, but in recent weeks it became apparent the former Wolves, Sunderland, Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers centre-back would not remain at Pride Park.

In an injury-disrupted campaign, Batth featured just 12 times for the Rams across all competitions.

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Wolves striker Raul Jimenez scored during Mexico's victory over Ecuador on Wednesday to set up a potential last-16 tie with England at the World Cup.

The 35-year-old doubled the host nation's lead by finding the top corner during the 2-0 win and Maxico will now face either the Three Lions or DR Congo on Monday at 01:00 BST for a place in the quarter-finals.

Wanderers team-mate David Moller Wolfe also secured a place in the last 16 after starting the match for Norway in their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

The defender will be joined by Egil Selvik of Watford and Derby County's Sondre Langas as the Norwegians head to New Jersey to play Brazil on Sunday at 21:00 BST.

However, there are some English Football League players who will not be continuing to feature in the tournament after yesterday's results.

Rams stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was between the sticks for Sweden's knockout match against France on Tuesday but they succumbed to a 3-0 loss.

Stoke City keeper Viktor Johansson and Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal also return home following Sweden's loss without any tournament minutes under their belt.

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby

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The confirmation of Ben Wilkinson's addition to Derby County's coaching team is a strong signal of intent from the Rams.

The 39-year-old established his career at Manchester City, working closely with Pep Guardiola and Pep Lijnders at the Etihad Campus - so he's been privy to coaching methods few get to witness.

From what I understand, he had opportunities to go elsewhere in football but he's decided Derby is the right choice to make that step forward in his coaching development.

Rams head coach John Eustace identified and pushed a move for the Manchester City development coach to join his staff as he aspires to make that next step with the Rams this season.

With looming investment, midfielder Bobby Clark over the line and Wilkinson appointed, it would appear Derby are getting their ducks in a row for a strong 2026-27 campaign.

As an in-possession coach, Wilkinson offers something that could allow the squad to evolve and a work ethic to match the intensity of his head coach Eustace.

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Manchester City development coach Ben Wilkinson is set to join Derby's backroom staff as part of boss John Eustace's coaching team, according to BBC Radio Derby.

The 39-year-old has been City's under-21 head coach since Brian Barry-Murphy left to become Cardiff City boss in July 2025.

Wilkinson's playing career included spells with Hull City, York City and Boston United before he joined Sheffield Wednesday's academy coaching staff and then moved to Manchester City in 2018, where he guided the under-18 team to a Premier League National title in his first season.

He is the son of former Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United and England caretaker boss Howard Wilkinson.

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We have reached the knock-out rounds of the World Cup but there are still plenty of players from the English Football League representing their country.

Here is where you can watch them in the round of 32:

Sunday, 28 June

• Lyle Foster, Burnley - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)

• Alfie Jones, Middlesbrough - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)

• Ali Ahmed, Norwich City - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)

• Cyle Larin, Southampton - South Africa v Canada (20:00 BST)

Tuesday, 30 June

• Crysencio Summerville, West Ham - Netherlands v Morocco (02:00 BST)

• Sondre Langas, Derby County - Ivory Coast v Norway (18:00 BST)

• Egil Selvik, Watford - Ivory Coast v Norway (18:00 BST)

• David Moller Wolfe, Wolves - Ivory Coast v Norway (18:00 BST)

• Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley - France v Sweden (22:00 BST)

• Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Derby County - France v Sweden (22:00 BST)

• Viktor Johansson, Stoke City - France v Sweden (22:00 BST)

Wednesday, 1 July

• Edson Alvarez, West Ham - Mexico v Ecuador (02:00 BST)

• Raul Jimenez, Wolves - Mexico v Ecuador (02:00 BST)

• Axel Tuanzebe, Burnley - England v DR Congo (17:00 BST)

• Edo Kayembe, Watford - England v DR Congo (17:00 BST)

• Aaron Wan-Bissaka, West Ham - England v DR Congo (17:00 BST)

• El-Hadji Malick Diouf, West Ham - Belgium v Senegal (21:00 BST)

Friday, 3 July

• Jose Sa, Wolves - Portugal v Croatia (00:00 BST)

• Zeki Amdouni, Burnley - Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)

• Harry Souttar, Leicester City - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)

• Mohamed Toure, Norwich City - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)

• Cameron Burgess, Swansea City - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)

• Nestory Irankunda, Watford - Australia v Egypt (19:00 BST)

Saturday, 4 July

• Abdul Fatawu, Leicester City, Colombia v Ghana (02:30 BST)

Southend United have signed former Derby County defender Daniel Cox on a two-year contract with an option for an extra year.

The 20-year-old came through the Derby academy and captained their under-21 side before his release this summer without a senior appearance for the Rams.

Cox becomes the National League side's fourth signing of the summer since Kieron Dyer became head coach.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

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The Rams announced their first signing of the summer transfer window on Monday evening, acquiring the permanent services of midfielder Bobby Clark.

Following a highly successful loan spell at Pride Park last campaign, during which the 21-year-old was named the club's young player of the season, supporters have been delighted to see Clark commit his long-term future to the club.

Arriving for a fee believed to be in the region of £6m, the pressure will no doubt be on Clark to build on an impressive first season in black and white and become a key figure in Derby's midfield, as the Rams set their sights on mounting a promotion push in the upcoming campaign.

The signing of Clark fits the mould of Derby's long-term plans. At the age of 21 he still has plenty of room to improve and develop.

With the Rams using a business model that operates by buying young high-ceiling players and selling them on for profit, Clark feels like the perfect fit for what Derby are trying to achieve, particularly as he will be entering his prime when his four-year deal at Pride Park comes to an end.

Perhaps the most impressive part of securing Clark's signature has been the statement it has made.

Clark reportedly attracted attention from a number of other clubs, including fellow Championship sides Wrexham and West Ham United, alongside Scottish giants Rangers.

Being able to fend off clubs of that calibre, who have significant financial backing, and in Rangers' case have European football to offer, is a clear indication that the appeal of the long-term project being built at Pride Park is growing.

Getting business done early has also been important, Derby have shown a level of proactivity that they have perhaps lacked in previous transfer windows, an approach that has often separated them from the teams who have gone on to be successful and in some cases gone on to achieve promotion.

Acting quickly has not only allowed the Rams to secure one of the most highly rated young midfielders in the league, it has also provided John Eustace and his staff with valuable time to shape the rest of the squad around him.

With a key piece of the puzzle already in place, Derby can now approach the remainder of the transfer window with greater clarity, as they look to add further quality and depth ahead of the new campaign.

The general consensus among supporters is that Derby need to get their strength in depth right this season.

Last season, the Rams fell short during the business end of the campaign as injuries to key players began to mount. Not having enough quality reinforcements to step in ultimately cost Derby, so you would expect Eustace to address that this summer.

As well as wanting to build a strong starting line-up, it's important that the Rams have greater depth across the squad, with players not only capable of making an impact from the bench, but also having the quality to step in for a run of games if needed. Adding depth should also allow key players to be rested during particularly intense periods, which should help Derby to avoid another costly injury crisis.

Clark's arrival is certainly an exciting start to Derby's summer business, providing a perfect foundation to build on.

Supporters will now be eager to see who else the Rams can bring to Pride Park as the transfer window progresses.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

Defender Stephen Mfuni is wanted by Derby County on a season-long loan deal. The Manchester City youngster, 18, spent part of last season on loan at the Rams' Championship rivals Watford. (Football League World), external

Want more EFL transfer gossip? Read more of Friday's headlines here.

The EFL fixture list is out, and we know you are bursting to know what you've got to look forward to - or dread - from your team this upcoming season.

Here are some key dates to put in your diary:

• 15 August 2026 - Charlton Athletic (A)

• 22 August 2026 - Cardiff City (H)

• 26 December 2026 - Preston North End (A)

• 1 January 2027 - Blackburn Rovers (H)

• 1 May 2027 - Wolves (H)

See Derby County's full fixture list here.

The EFL will reveal its fixture list for the 2026-27 season on Thursday.

Want to know who your team will face on opening day? The fixtures will be announced at 12:00 BST - but that is not all.

The draws for the group stage of the Vertu Trophy and the first round of the Carabao Cup will also take place.

So check back on 25 June to see who your team faces first, last and everything in between.

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby Sport

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Defender Danny Batth has rejected a contract offer from Derby County and is now highly unlikely to sign a new deal, BBC Sport Derby understands.

The club is thought to have viewed the deal on the table as a fair valuation, but it seems the 35-year-old will move away from Pride Park this summer following the expiry of his contract.

By all accounts, Batth was a standard-setter for head coach John Eustace, someone he'd worked with and trusted in the past at Blackburn to play regular football.

But he suffered with injury setbacks after his arrival at the Rams last summer, which resulted in him dropping down the pecking order and playing just 10 Championship matches last season.

His experience and knowledge of the second tier will certainly need replacing as Eustace continues building towards next season.

Derby County defender Danny Batth is set to leave after the club failed to agree a new deal with the 35-year-old Englishman, who is out of contract at Pride Park this summer. (Football League World), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Monday's full gossip column here.

Derby County and QPR are battling to sign 31-year-old former Coventry City midfielder Jamie Allen on a free transfer, with the Englishman now available after he was released by the Sky Blues upon the expiry of his contract this summer. (Football League World), external

For more transfer news and rumours, read Thursday's full gossip column here.

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby Sport

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Derby County are in advanced talks with midfielder Bobby Clark for what we understand to be a fee of between £5m and £6m from Red Bull Salzburg.

Clark spent his debut Championship campaign on loan with the Rams last season, quickly becoming a fans favourite and ending with a young player of the season award.

His ability to execute a gameplan in a number of positions has been key to his success under John Eustace, who has clearly worked with him to take his game to the next level.

Arriving on loan last summer, he looked like a player who may struggle physically with the demands of the Championship, but time played its role and his breakthrough performance came away at Ipswich Town as Derby earned a 2-2 draw at the early promotion favourites.

Initially, he was someone who looked to operate in attacking midfield, but an injury crisis in midfield meant he played in a deeper role alongside the likes of David Ozoh and Lewis Travis and arguably played his best football there, with both Eustace and Clark crediting that moment as a crucial point in his development.

In terms of the deal, the fee looks good on the surface of it for a 21-year-old English midfielder and falls into both the "win now" mentality and the long-term asset value the club have continued to drive home in the past few seasons.

Timing-wise, the club have acted quickly and have clearly taken note from last season's window as Eustace looks to get his squad assembled sooner rather than later, after last season's slow start that ultimately cost them a play-off spot.

When I spoke to Clark at the end of season awards evening at Pride Park about a return to the club, I saw the glint in his eye of someone who wanted to return and finish the job he started while continuing to enjoy his football.

Image source, Terje Pedersen/EPA/Shutterstock

Derby County's Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Sondre Langas have joined their international sides as they begin preparations for the World Cup this summer.

Zetterstrom played all 90 minutes for Sweden on 1 June in their 3-1 loss to Norway, while Langas also featured for 27 minutes for the Norwegians in the same match.

Here is a reminder of the groups the Rams players are in and who they will face, so you can keep an eye out for them once the World Cup begins on 11 June:

• Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Sweden - Group F: Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan

• Sondre Langas, Norway - Group I: Iraq, Senegal and France