40 Louie Watson

Midfielder Louie Watson joined Derby County’s Under-23 squad in the early stages of the 2020/21 campaign after leaving West Ham United.

The Republic of Ireland youth international penned a two-year deal with the club which will run until the summer of 2022.

Previously a winger before moving inside, Watson appeared for West Ham’s Under-23s in the EFL Trophy during the 2019/20 campaign.

The creative midfielder marked his debut for the Rams’ Under-23s with a goal in a 3-2 loss at Chelsea in October 2020, while he was rewarded for his fine progress with his first-team debut off the bench in Derby's 4-0 win at Birmingham City in December 2020.