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Powerful centre-half Jake arrived at Pride Park in the summer of 2009.
Derby boss Nigel Clough had taken Buxton to Burton Albion 12 months earlier and watched him cement his place as the top defender in the Blue Square Premier and the Brewers’ Player of the Year – and quickly sought about bringing him to Pride Park.
Jake made 24 appearances in his first season with the Club and formed a solid understanding with Shaun Barker in central defence, especially during a key run of games in the winter months.
2010-11 was a frustrating one for Jake and he was sidelined for almost the entire season with a series of back and groin problems but he returned in 2011-12 to be a key member of the squad, even though he had to wait until the latter months of the season to become a first-team regular.
After Shaun Barker suffered a serious knee injury in March 2012 against Nottingham Forest he came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner to write himself into Derby County folklore. He was a defensive linchpin in the closing weeks of the season and his performances earned him a new two-year deal.
Jake was born in Sutton-in-Ashfield and came through the ranks at Mansfield Town.
He made 174 appearances at Field Mill before Clough snapped him up for Burton after Mansfield's relegation from League 2 and was rewarded with a series of commanding performances.