Derby County have made two signings since the transfer window opened at the start of the month
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
16:16, 15 Jan 2026
John Eustace insists Derby County are working to bring players in after allowing Curtis Nelson to leave the club.
The 32-year-old has left after two-and-a-half seasons at Pride Park, but his last 12 months have been disrupted by a serious knee injury.
He has been reunited with Paul Warne at MK Dons, as the ambitious League Two outfit sit fifth and target promotion – but Eustace says it is all part of the plan to evolve his first team squad with just a few weeks of the transfer window remaining.
“I know the club are working really hard at the moment on bringing players in so we will just have to wait and see,” Eustace said.
“If it’s late, no problem, if it’s now that will be great, if we don’t get anyone in the group will be ready to finish the season strong.”
The head coach admitted Nelson’s departure was ‘a shame’ but insisted it works for all parties, with Dion Sanderson, Craig Forsyth, Matt Clarke, Danny Batth and Sondre Langas all options at the heart of the defence.
“It’s a shame Curtis has left,” he said. “He was injured when I was first here, then he has come back. I was delighted to be able to give him some minutes at Birmingham and I thought he did very well there. But obviously we have got competition for places.
“He has been able to extend his contract as well for a couple of years away from here. It is a great opportunity for him and his family and we wish him all the best.
“He is a fantastic character he has done great for Derby over the last two seasons. He has been a fantastic servant, I am sorry to see him go – but he has got security there for the next two seasons.
“He is going to a manager that knows him inside out, he is going to a good environment and everyone is happy.”
So far the Rams have made Sanderson’s loan permanent and brought in Oscar Fraulo, after a lengthy courtship, from Borussia Monchengladbach.
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