Craig Forsyth

Craig Forsyth is Derby County’s longest-serving player, having spent well over a decade in Derbyshire.

The defender has been on Derby’s books since early 2013 and offers great versatility, with the left-footed defender able to perform either at left-back, left-wing back or at centre-back.

He offers height and strength in any position, while he has proved to be a key attacking outlet when performing at left-back with his desire to push forward into the opposition’s half.

Forsyth became a permanent member of the Derby squad in the summer of 2013 after impressing during a loan spell from Watford towards the end of the 2012/13 campaign under Nigel Clough.

He joined Derby after an undisclosed fee was agreed for his services and he went on to be one of the Rams’ most consistent performers as they reached the Championship Play-Off Final at the end of the 2013/14 season.

Forsyth has, unfortunately, suffered three serious knee injuries during his time at the club which has kept him out of action for some time, but he has remained a key figure in-and-around the dressing room.

When he has been available for selection, he has remained a valuable member of the Rams’ squad and has established himself as a regular under several managers.

The former Dundee, Montrose and Arbroath player - who also had a loan stint at Bradford City in 2012 whilst at Watford - passed the 200 appearances mark for Derby towards the end of the 2019/20 season.

The Scot was deployed more as a centre-back throughout his tenth year at the club in 2022/23 and was also given the armband for spells of the League One campaign. He made 52 appearances for the Rams in all competitions, a number which also saw him surpass 300 appearances for the club before the end of the season.

Following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, Forsyth signed a one-year extension with the Rams to earn himself a Testimonial for his services against Stoke City in the summer of 2022.

He remained ever reliable over the next season and, after 32 appearances in 2023/24, Forsyth's early-season form and appearances had done enough to activate a performance-based clause in his contract to extend his stay with the club by an additional year. The season also saw him enjoy his first promotion as a Derby player, with the side finishing second in League One to gain automatic promotion.

In 2024/25 the veteran defender came good for the Rams once more, as they fought to keep their place in the Championship. His defensive work across 39 league appearances in the season was matched by his contribution in attack and Forsyth netted three vital goals and provided four assists as John Eustace’s side secured their second-tier status. He earned himself a new two-year contract, until the summer of 2027, as a result.

The defender has also been capped by Scotland at international level on four occasions and went on to win his first cap against Nigeria at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in May 2014.