Mon 13 Oct
Time to read: 3mins
Ten years after signing for the Rams, the big pole looks back on the move that got his career back on track
Grzegorz Rasiak says that he will always hold a special place in his heart for Derby County after he returned to the Club last month on a flying visit.
The tall Polish striker joined the Rams just over a decade ago as something of unknown quantity from Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski on a free transfer, but went on to be the spearhead of the Derby side that finished fourth in the Championship.
Play-Off heartbreak followed for Derby and Rasiak, who scored 16 goals in 35 games en route to the semi-final stage before moving on to Tottenham Hotspur the following campaign.
Before the Rams, though, Rasiak had been unable to settle into life in Italy and took a gamble with his career as he ventured outside of his homeland to prove himself as a footballer.
It was a move to the Rams that gave him the break he needed; a move that he regards to this day as ‘fantastic’.
Speaking to Rams Player, Rasiak said: “Ten years ago I signed and I moved to the UK and I had a fantastic time at the club.
“I moved from Poland to Italy and I couldn’t really settle. I moved to Derby and for football reasons it was a fantastic move.
“I have still got friends in Derby, all the players that played with me and I have a good relationship with the people in the club who are still here.
“It’s really nice to be back after a long time.”
A lot has changed since Rasiak first drove through the gates of the Derby County Training Centre.
After years of hard work, the Academy was granted Category One status back in July this year and with the various other upgrades that have been undertaken, Rasiak, who made 37 appearances as a full international, rates Derby’s training facilities as the best he has come across.
It represents a special place for the Pole and one he hopes to be around a lot more in the future.
“It’s the best training ground that I have been at. I can compare with Southampton, Reading, Watford, Bolton and Spurs, the facilities are great here and it has got better in the last few years.
“It’s a great opportunity for the players to play and focus on their football.
“For me, it has been one of the biggest clubs for me. I have had a few moves, but Derby was really special because the fans really supported me during my time here.
“From the beginning it could have been hard, but I really found myself in this place. Derby will always be special.
“Hopefully, in the coming weeks, I can get to the Stadium to see the games because I follow the results, but I would love to see Derby from the stands.
“They play exciting football, they’ve got an fantastic manager at the club and some great players.
“They have a few experienced players like Grant and Eustacey, who I know from the past, so I think I will be, more often, at the Derby County Training Ground than before.”
