Stephen Bywater arrived at Pride Park on Saturday August 12 2006 - just a minute before the 12noon deadline for inclusion in that evening's game at Hull City.

The goalkeeper joined from West Ham United on an initial loan deal and made a permanent move on August 27, when he signed a three-year deal.

He made his debut at the KC Stadium just over five hours after signing and put in a confident performance as the Rams picked up a 2-1 win.

Manchester-born Bywater began his career at Rochdale before being snapped up by the Hammers in 1998, while still a teenager.

He made nearly 70 appearances for West Ham and has also had loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Hull, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Coventry City.

Bywater also has six England U21 caps.

The big stopper proved to be another outstanding capture and showed just why he is so highly rated with a superb run of form as the Rams earned promotion via the play-offs.

Bywater began life back in the Premier League well before picking up a shoulder injury in the pre-Christmas 2-2 draw away to Newcastle United.

And on the final day of the January 2008 window he moved out on loan to Ipswich Town until the end of the season.

LAST UPDATED: February 1 2008.

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