3/1 To Win
Gary Rowett insists that Andre Wisdom was high on his target list this summer – and he says the defender made it clear Derby County was the place for him.
It was announced earlier this month that the defender will join Derby from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.
He is currently away on holiday but, once he returns, he will undergo a medical and put pen-to-paper with the Rams.
The 24-year-old, who is capable of playing at right-back, made 38 appearances during a loan spell with Derby during the 2013/14 season and needs little introduction to supporters.
Rowett says he made bringing Wisdom to Pride Park Stadium one of his top summer priorities and he was also left impressed by his desire to link up with the Rams once again.
He told RamsTV: “In terms of our target list, Andre was our first choice in the position he plays in.
“I think alongside the Curtis Davies signing, what we wanted was a little bit of flexibility but we also wanted to know what we were going to get.
“Andre’s age is fantastic; his experiences last season (winning the league and cup on loan at Red Bull Salzburg) were great and I went out to watch him a couple of times.
“What impressed me the most was that his agent made it clear that he wanted to come back to Derby County.
“He helped us a lot because he didn’t really want to talk to any other club.”
Rowett, a defender during his own playing days, feels that Wisdom is a conservative full-back who can also provide defensive flexibility.
Known for his defensive qualities, he also showed on occasions during his previous spell with Derby than he can also make an impact on the attack.
His ability to also play in central defence is something which the 43-year-old feels will prove to be beneficial in the long-run.
“I think what we’re getting with Andre is we’re getting someone who can play inbetween as a right back because he can defend comfortably and is a very powerful boy,” he said.
“He can also get forward as well, but I’m not expecting him to get forward like a modern-day attacking full-back can do sometimes.
“Andre can also give us a little bit of flexibility in terms of housing less players in the squad because we know he can play as a central defender.”
He added: “We want that type of player in the building and I think at 24, I feel as though he’s at a point where he just needs that settled period of finding a home again.
“I think the familiarity of Derby will help that and I think that he can be the type of signing that can really, really give us some impact next season.”
With another defender on board in Hull City’s Curtis Davies, Rowett is pleased with how his squad is shaping up.
He does, however, want to bring in more fresh faces and expects to see a different-looking Rams side to be taking on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on the opening day of the season in August.
“We have made two strong additions and they fill some of the areas we wanted to strengthen,” he said.
“I can guarantee that by the start of the season it won’t just be Andre and Curtis in the building but it certainly will be that type of calibre of player.
“I expect we will be a stronger by the start of the season and a different looking Derby team.”
