Jake Rooney has joined Derby County’s Under-21s squad on a permanent basis.
The defender enjoyed a spell on trial with the Rams during the summer ahead of the 2022/23 season, playing for the first team and Under-21s, and he has now penned a permanent deal.
Rooney played the full 90 minutes for Derby’s Under-21s on Friday night as they began the 2022/23 Premier League 2 - Division 2 season with a 5-2 defeat against Leeds United at Pride Park Stadium.
He is the fourth addition to Pat Lyons’ squad this summer following the arrivals of George Nunn, Demico Burton and Jack Bates as he looks to catch the eye and push towards featuring in the first team fold.
The 18-year-old is the cousin of former Derby manager and player Wayne Rooney and he progressed through the Burnley youth ranks after joining the Clarets at the age of 14.
He was named as their Youth Team Player of the Year for the 2020/21 campaign and he kicked on to establish himself in their Premier League 2 side prior to being out of contract at Turf Moor in the summer.
