3/1 To Win
Midfielder pens a new long-term deal with Derby County.
Derby County is delighted to announce that Scotland international midfielder Craig Bryson has signed a new five-year deal with the Club.
Bryson, 27, put pen-to-paper at the Training Centre this afternoon to extend his stay at the iPro Stadium until the summer of 2019.
The Rams’ 2013/14 Jack Stamps Player of the Year has become the fifth member of the squad to commit their future to the Rams inside a week, following in the footsteps of Jeff Hendrick, Craig Forsyth, Jake Buxton and Will Hughes.
Bryson was an integral part of Derby’s promotion push last season under Steve McClaren and his 16 goals from midfield were a driving force behind the side finishing third in the table, as well as reaching the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.
He scored two hat-tricks during the campaign, including one in the 5-0 demolition of locals rivals Nottingham Forest at the iPro Stadium in March of this year, and went on to be named in the PFA Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season.
Derby County’s Head Coach Steve McClaren: “It is fantastic news that Craig Bryson has committed his long-term future to Derby County today.
“At the end of last season I sat down with our President & Chief Executive, Sam Rush, and asked him to do his best to retain the core members of the squad, and I am delighted that has been the case.
“By giving Craig a five-year deal it shows just how highly we rate him; he is a great team player and he scores important goals as well, as we saw last season.
“He was an integral part of what we achieved last season and he will be a vital member of the side in the future as well.”
President & Chief Executive Sam Rush said: “First and foremost, I am delighted that we have been able to retain five key players from last season’s squad on new deals during the last seven days.
“In Craig Bryson’s case, there has been much speculation in the last month or so and we are aware that, naturally, there has been interest from other clubs in him.
“After being named Player of the Season in two of his three years with the Club, Craig is held in high regard by the fans and I am sure they will be equally delighted with this news.”
He added: “I think the signing and length of contract demonstrates commitment from both sides to take Derby County back to the Premier League and, with the fans right behind us, we can build on the success of last season.”
Bryson’s footballing career began north of the border at Clyde in 2004 before he moved on to Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock in 2007.
His four-season stay at Rugby Park saw him wear the captain’s armband as well as going on to gain his first Scotland cap against the Faroe Islands late in 2010.
He joined Derby for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2011 and went on to be named as the Club’s Player of the Year in 2011/12, his first season with the Rams.
Bryson remained a regular in the Derby side during the 2012/13 campaign and further enhanced his reputation by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in September 2012.
His form cranked up a notch last season as he bagged 16 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions, including hat-tricks in the 5-1 win over Millwall in September 2013 and Nottingham Forest in March 2014.
He also registered an exceptional 13 assists during the season and his form saw him return to the international fold, as he was handed a starting place for Scotland against Norway in November 2013.
In April 2014, he was named as the Jack Stamps Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, and he was also named in the PFA Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season by his fellow professionals.
In total, Bryson has made 134 appearances for Derby and scored on 27 occasions.
