Derby County can today confirm the latest intake of youngsters, with eight players signing two-year scholarships with the club.


Following another successful 2016/17 campaign with Danny Holmes’ Under-16s, the group of players have linked up with the club’s Under-18s side from the start of this pre-season.

They will join the existing 15 second-year scholars ahead of the 2017/18 U18 Premier League – North campaign.

The new scholars linking up with the club’s Under 18s are:

Sam French – Goalkeeper
Lee Buchanan – Defender/ Midfielder
Max Bird – Midfielder
Callum Minkley – Midfielder
Jordan Brown – Midfielder
Jason Knight – Midfielder
Connor Dixon – Midfielder
Morgan Whittaker – Forward

Speaking about the new scholars, Justin Walker told RamsTV: “A lot of the new scholars integrated with us last season so it is a case of familiar faces really.

“It is nice to see the group come together and it seems as though everyone is comfortable and excited to be back.

“They are very good group, there are no questions about that.

“I think physically they were very good last year and there is some very exciting potential within the group this season.”

Justin Walker’s and Rory Delap’s Under-18 side returned for pre-season training on Monday morning (3rd July) to gear up for the 2017/18 Premier League – North season.

Be sure to follow all the action from day one of the Under-18s pre-season campaign on dcfc.co.uk and across all the academy’s social media platforms.