Richard Keogh knows only too well what qualities Cameron Jerome can bring to Derby County’s frontline.


The 31-year-old striker last week moved to Pride Park Stadium from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City for an undisclosed fee.

Derby’s skipper has enjoyed a number of intriguing battles against Jerome in recent seasons.

Jerome scored against the Rams at both Pride Park Stadium and Carrow Road as he hit a career-best 21 goals during the Canaries’ promotion-winning 2014/15 season.

The frontman has been a thorn in the Rams’ side throughout his career, having also found the net against Derby during his spells at Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Stoke City.

Keogh has described Jerome as a ‘real threat’ for opposition defenders and believes he will be a good addition to Gary Rowett’s squad.


He told RamsTV: “I’ve played against Cameron on quite a few occasions and he has always been a really tough opponent; it’s great he’s here now!

“He has had a successful career and he has plenty of really good attributes. If you ask anyone that has played against him they will tell you he’s a real threat.

“He will be another good addition to the squad. I know he knows quite a few players already which helps when it comes to settling in and I am sure he will bring something to the table.”

Jerome made his debut as a substitute in last Friday’s 0-0 draw at home to Bristol City, 72 hours after putting pen-to-paper on an 18-month deal.

Replays showed he should have earned Derby a late penalty after he was fouled by City defender Aden Flint in the box; but he was instead of being booked for simulation by referee Darren England.


Although that decision went against the experienced frontman, it was clear to see he made an impact and applied pressure to the visitors’ backline for the closing stages.

Upon the striker’s signing last week, Rowett stated that he felt Jerome added something different to the Rams’ strikeforce, and Keogh certainly concurs.

He said: “As I said earlier, I think it’s another good signing for us.

“He will offer us something different, which I know the manager has touched on already.

“It’s great to have options and we certainly have that all over the pitch. Cameron has something different to our other forwards and they all have different qualities.”


Derby’s squad is packed with experience from front to back and that, along with the undoubted quality in the dressing room, has played in a key role in the Rams’ surge into second place in the table.

Jerome has gained promotion to the Premier League on three occasions in his career so far – twice with Birmingham and once with Norwich – and Keogh believes it can only be positive to have another player in the group with an understanding of what it takes to be successful.

He said: “Cameron is also a player with experience and not just in the Championship, but also in the Premier League as well.

“He knows what it takes to get out of this league and I think that’s important. He’s done it with Norwich and also Birmingham in the past.”