With a “colossal” £0 signing who is worth more than Adams, Derby struck gold.

Derby County fans were likely unsurprised when Ebou Adams was introduced as their newest signing recently. The former Cardiff City midfielder had been eager to return ever since his influential loan period ended last season, during which he quickly became a beloved figure among Pride Park supporters.

The tough-tackling defensive midfielder endeared himself to many Derby supporters in just 17 games, impressively winning 7.9 duels per League One match while wearing the Rams’ colors. His contributions were pivotal as Paul Warne’s team secured automatic promotion.

Everyone involved with Derby will be delighted to have Adams back in the squad permanently, especially as they prepare for the challenges of Championship football this season.

However, another crucial first-team player could prove to be even more essential to Derby’s success this season, beyond the excitement of Adams’ return. This player has previous experience at this level and brings a wealth of expertise to the team.

Curtis Nelson’s arrival at Derby before the start of last season on a free transfer turned out to be a brilliant signing. The commanding defender played a crucial role throughout their promotion-winning campaign, where the team conceded only 37 goals, the fewest in the league. Nelson, alongside Sonny Bradley, formerly of Luton Town, formed a formidable defensive partnership that consistently kept League One attackers at bay. Their efforts helped Derby secure promotion back to the Championship.

Nelson’s wealth of experience and understanding of the Championship will be crucial in the upcoming campaign for Derby, especially if Warne’s team initially struggles with the higher demands of the division. The former Cardiff City player has accumulated 134 games at this level over the years.

In his last full season in the Championship, Nelson managed five clean sheets from 25 games while playing for a relegation-threatened Blackpool side. However, with the added defensive prowess of Adams alongside him, he should be well-equipped to effectively neutralize opposition attacks as Derby aims to thrive rather than falter under the new challenges they face.