SIGNING: Filip Bilbija Joins as Derby County’s Third Summer Recruit

Derby County have confirmed the signing of versatile German attacker Filip Bilbija.

Bilbija has put pen to paper on a three-year deal to join the Rams as their third summer recruit, signing as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with SC Paderborn.

The 26-year-old spent the last three seasons with the German second-tier side, where he made 89 appearances in Bundesliga 2, scoring 29 times.

An all-rounder in attack with a proven eye for goal, Bilbija is capable of operating as an attacking midfielder, a wide man, and as the focal point of the frontline.

Last season, Bilbija enjoyed the most fruitful campaign of his career, completing the year with 17 goals in all competitions, headlined by a spectacular four-goal salvo in a 4-3 victory against FC Magdeburg.

His return helped Paderborn earn promotion to the top-flight, with the attacker notching a crucial header during Paderborn’s 2-1 Bundesliga Promotion Play-Off win over Wolfsburg in May.

The link-up with the Rams will see him move out of German football for the first time in his career, having previously played professionally for FC Ingolstadt, Hamburger SV and Paderborn.

Bilbija has joined Head Coach John Eustace’s squad during their overseas training camp in Austria.

Welcome to Derby, Filip!

* This transfer is subject to international clearance and relevant work permit.