Midfielder Marsel Tola joined Derby County Under-18s as a scholar in the summer of 2023 and went on to step up to the Under-21s in 2025 by penning his first professional deal.

Born in Albania, Tola didn’t join the Rams until the 2022/23 campaign with the Under-16s.

He joined Derby after being scouted from a private academy in London.

Tola made 20 appearances for the Under-18s in 2023/24 as he continued his development with the side, while the 2024/25 campaign saw him register regular match minutes for the Under-18s and also get a couple of Under-21s games under his belt.