United States International Patrick Agyemang joined Derby County in the summer of 2025.
The striker’s first campaign in English football saw him impress, with 10 goals and four assists in the Sky Bet Championship, proving his stock could continue to rise after his unorthodox route through the US system brought him to Derbyshire.
A blow towards the end of the season came when Agyemang sustained an Achilles tendon injury against Stoke City at Pride Park Stadium that ruled him out for an extended period of time, including ruling him out of contention for the United States’ World Cup squad. But he will hope to continue his inspiring rise when he returns to action for the Rams.
Agyemang linked up with the Derby from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract set to run until 2029.
A 6-foot-4-inch striker, he came to Derby immediately following the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he led the line for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) as they reached the final of the competition.
After scoring 10 goals during the 2024 season to fire Charlotte to the MLS Play-Offs, the forward scored eight goals and recorded two assists in 18 appearances during the first half of Charlotte’s 2025 campaign, before linking up with the USMNT squad, and later the Rams.
Agyemang, who hails from East Hartford, Connecticut, began his football (soccer) career in high school. In 2018, he attended Eastern Connecticut State University, where he played US college soccer for the Eastern Connecticut Warriors.
Over two years, he netted 30 goals in 39 matches for the college side.
He transferred to the University of Rhode Island in 2020 to play for their team - the Rams. He racked up a further 19 goals and provided 12 assists while in Rhode Island.
His first non-college league experience came alongside his university activity as he also played for the USL League Two side Western Mass Pioneers in 2021, providing six goals and six assists on the way to his team lifting the league’s Eastern Conference title.
After college, Agyemang was selected by Major League Soccer side Charlotte as a rookie in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft – joining in December 2022.
His impressive form for the North Carolina team over the next two seasons saw him catch the attention of USMNT Manager Mauricio Pochettino and Derby County.
He earned his first senior international cap in January 2025 and went on to score five goals within his first five matches for his nation.
The American continued to be called up to represent his nation as the 2026 FIFA World Cup came nearer, but his late-season injury denied Agyemang a spot in the squad at a home tournament.
