Derby County’s newest addition Callum Elder is hoping to replicate previous success when he suits up with the Rams in the 2023/24 season.
Elder, 28, who will join the club following the expiry of his contract with Sky Bet Championship side Hull City at the end of June, has already tasted success in League One twice in his career, first in 2017/18 with Wigan Athletic and then again in 2020/21 with the Tigers.
The Australian international, who was named in the League One Team of the Season in the 2020/21 campaign, is now keen to make that a hat-trick with Derby and he discussed his desire for success and much more with RamsTV following his move.
On the move to Derby…
It’s a proud day for me and my family to be recognised by Paul Warne his staff to be a player that he feels can help promote this club and progress it forward is a real honour and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I’ve got to thank Paul Warne, he’s shown a real keen interest in me since the season finished at Hull. To have that recognition off of him, I’m really proud of that and I’m looking forward to repaying him and the club with that faith.
On speaking to others about the move…
I’ve got a lot of old team-mates that have been Derby County players and I’ve spoken to a good few of them and they’ve had nothing but positive things to say about the club.
When a club with the magnitude of Derby’s size shows an interest in you, it immediately turns your head.
I spoke with Paul Warne quite early on and he recognised how the club could move forward and how I could be a part of that. I saw an interview with him last week where he said the club is an easy sell and he’s right. To play for a club the size of Derby in your career, not many players can say that, so I’m really looking forward to getting going.
On getting promoted from League One before…
I’ve got a good record at the level and I’m really proud to say that I’ve won the league twice. I know the gaffer has a really strong record himself at this level and he’ll be looking to add more silverware this season.
The common theme from both my promotions is having a close-knit group. It’s a relentless season and I feel that any side in the EFL that gets promoted deserves to because they’ve shown a real level of consistency all the way through. You’ve of course got to have good players but when times are tough, you’ve got to have a tight-knit group.
I feel that’s already here in abundance already. I’ve spoken to a few of them already and I’m really looking forward to joining this talented group of players and getting going.
On coming into a new dressing room…
It’s weird because I did a lot of loans early on in my career and then moved to Hull where I did four seasons and by the end of it I think I was just one of two players that was left from my first season there.
I like to think off the pitch that I’m a big character. I like to get involved, I like to help anyone out and I’ll always be here for anyone, staff and players, if they need it.
It’s an exciting time to become part of a new group of lads and I’m looking forward to being integrated into the lads and starting off well.
On what Derby fans can expect from him as a player…
Promotion, I hope!
I’ve come here to compete in leagues higher than League One. I read the other day that Derby are one of a few clubs that haven’t dipped below 20,000 fans for the last 10 seasons so it’s a credit to them. Their support through a rocky period in the club’s history has been unwavered.
It’s a big responsibility but one that I’m proud to have been bestowed upon me that I’ve been identified to get this club competing in higher leagues and back where it belongs.
From a fans' point of view it’s an incredible football club with great history and I really am proud of to be part of this club and show the fans what I can do.
The last time I competed in League One I did have a good season and I’ll be looking to replicate a similar one this time.
