Derby County’s squad has enjoyed a huge overhaul following their promotion last season.
The Rams recruited 12 new players over the summer as they looked to rebuild their squad ready for the Championship.
It appears to be working so far, with the club beating Middlesbrough and Bristol City in their opening four matches.
As new players arrived at Derby County, they also offloaded nine players – seven of whom were released, while the other two departed on loan.
Following the first month of the 2024/25 campaign, we have taken a look at how each former player has done since leaving Pride Park.
How Derby County’s summer exits have fared
Joe Wildsmith
Derby fans were left shocked when Wildsmith was released at the end of the season, having won the Golden Glove award.
The 28-year-old went onto join West Brom as he looks to eventually reach the Premier League, making his debut in the Carabao Cup last month.
However, Wildsmith is yet to feature in the Championship and has so far played second fiddle to Alex Palmer, who has conceded two goals and picked up two clean sheets in four games.
Darren Robinson
Robinson only made one appearance for Derby before he was released, joining Hartlepool United in the National League last month.
The midfielder has started two of Hartlepool’s games as they failed to pick up a win, while he has also been an unused substitute in the other two matches.
Tyrese Fornah
The 24-year-old joined Salford City on loan this summer and has started their opening three games in League Two – enjoying an unbeaten start.
Their most recent win over MK Dons saw him rack up 60 touches, 89% passing accuracy, two tackles and one interception. He also enjoyed more successful dribbles than any other player (4).
Korey Smith
After struggling with injuries last season, Smith was released by Derby and has since joined Cambridge United.
The midfielder has started all four of Cambridge’s opening fixtures – picking up only one point.
Smith’s error led to a goal in their recent defeat to Bristol Rovers, while he failed to make a single tackle or interception.
Conor Hourihane
The former Derby captain joined Barnsley as a player-coach over the summer, but has only managed one start in League One.
Having been left out of the matchday squad three times, it looks like the 33-year-old could be moving towards more of a coaching role at Oakwell.
Hourihane’s one start against Northampton saw him pick up 35 touches, 67% passing accuracy, two tackles and two clearances.
Louie Sibley
Sibley left Derby after playing in practically every position on the pitch – ending the campaign as a left wing-back.
The 22-year-old has made two starts in the Carabao Cup for Oxford United, playing as a central midfielder – bagging an assist against Peterborough.
He is still waiting to make his first start in the Championship, having been an unused sustitute in their last outing against Preston.
Dwight Gayle
Gayle left Pride Park after only a few months – scoring three goals in six matches before suffering an injury.
The striker is still without a club, but Not The Old Firm have reported that he is on his way to Hibernian.
The Scottish club sit ninth in the Scottish Premiership after picking up only two points in their first four matches.
Martyn Waghorn
Waghorn still hasn’t found a new club after he was released by the Rams.
The forward scored seven goals in 24 games last season, but as he approaches his 35th birthday, it is unclear where his future lies.
Scott Loach
Loach confirmed his retirement from professional football in June, having managed only three appearances for Derby.
The 36-year-old has racked up 479 appearances in his career, mostly playing in the National League.
Loach played for the likes of Watford, Ipswich Town and Hartlepool United.
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