Kane Wilson’s debut campaign at Derby County couldn’t have gone much better.
The 24-year-old right-sider joined Derby from Bristol City last summer and has played an instrumental role in the Rams achieving automatic promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship.
He racked up 49 appearances and three goals over the season, including the crucial only goal in the 1-0 home win over promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers back in March.
Wilson, who is capable of playing in many positions, helped set Paul Warne’s side on their way as they sealed promotion from League One with a 2-0 home win over Carlisle United on Saturday by setting up Max Bird’s early goal.
Joyous scenes following at the final whilst at Pride Park Stadium as Derby celebrated their first promotion since 2007 and a return to the second tier following a challenging time off the field prior to being purchased by Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd in the summer of 2022.
Derby will step up to the second tier after a superb 2023/24 season which saw them 92 points, a club record in a season, as well as setting another club record for 13 away wins in a season and achieving a joint best return of 28 victories in a league campaign.
Speaking to RamsTV, Wilson said: “This is amazing and what dreams are made of.
“It is what I’ve been thinking about all season and my whole career too, so see so many fans in one spot and celebrating what we have achieved is amazing.
“I can’t explain how much I have enjoyed this season and the whole club; hand on heart there hasn’t been a single negative.
“Long may it continue when we’re back in the Championship.”
He added: “The fans have shown me so much love. Good games or bad games, they always support me.
“It is the same with the team. I remember so many games where they could’ve turned, but they kept going and Stevenage at home is the one that sticks in my mind. They carried us over the line.”
