Former Cardiff City goalkeeper Rohan Luthra is expected to join Derby County according to Sky Sports News, having trained with the Rams during pre-season.
Luthra would turn out for Derby in their recent friendly with League One outfit Stockport County in Spain and it now seems as if the shot stopper will be signing a permanent contract at Pride Park. The ‘keeper has been with the club during the pre-season training camp in Spain and has obviously impressed enough to earn himself Paul Warne’s faith.
Still only 22-years-of-age, Luthra would most recently turn out for National League South side Slough Town, making 12 appearances and keeping four clean sheets in the first half of the season. He has however been without a club more recently which has in turn seen him train with Derby in recent weeks.
Although it is highly unlikely that the former England youth international will be that close to the first team, the Rams are indeed after a couple of goalkeepers this summer, with Josh Vickers the only one on their books currently. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, last seasons number one, Joe Wildsmith, was released at the end of the season and has since joined West Bromwich Albion. That is despite helping Derby to promotion back to the Championship.
It’s obviously a key area which needs addressing this summer, but Luthra is potentially more one for the future rather than the present. He’d formerly been on the books at Cardiff City and does in fact have one Championship substitute appearance to his name. In a game against Preston North End in March 2023, the ‘keeper would replace striker Mark Harris after Jack Alnwick was sent off.
That appearance would in fact make history, with Luthra in turn becoming the first goalkeeper from Britain’s South Asian community to play in England’s top two divisions.
It is highly likely that Paul Warne is signing the 6’5 goalkeeper with a loan spell in mind, but at 22 years-of-age, he could well battle for a starting spot further down the line.
Writer’s View
Despite not having much experience within the senior ranks of English football, Luthra is still very young for a goalkeeper and has untapped potential. A loan next term would certainly aid his development as he probably isn’t ready for Championship football at the present.
Expect the Rams to still be in for at least one more goalkeeper this summer as they make their return to the Championship. Although some may consider that they are leaving it late, there is still plenty of time this window.
The expected signing of Luthra may potentially be a risky one, but it is a clear indication that Warne has the future in mind.
Senior Editor
