Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong has moved to Championship strugglers Derby County, according to the Rams’ official channels.
The 18-year-old has signed a new contract at the Premier League club before moving to Pride Park. The move is his first loan after a breakout season in senior football and is set to allow for more consistent first-team minutes, with Armstrong currently on the fringes of the squad at Goodison Park.
A loan is clearly what the hierarchy believe is best for his development, with new Toffees manager David Moyes seemingly keen to keep him at the club long-term. A tall midfielder who likes to play forward and get stuck in, Armstrong has made the step up to senior football after impressing at youth level for Everton.
The Liverpool-born youngster has made six senior appearances for his boyhood club, registering one assist and putting in some impressive performances. At both senior and youth level he has shown versatility in filling in multiple positions, a trait which will no doubt have appealed to Derby boss Paul Warne. As well as getting minutes in at club level, Armstrong has also seen international action recently. He made his England under-18 debut in October and has made four appearances since.
Armstrong’s signing comes at a good time for the Ram who are desperate for something to change, and new personnel may be the way to achieve that. The club are currently on an eight-game losing spell in all competitions which has seen them knocked out of the FA Cup and slump down the table towards a relegation battle. They were previously fairly comfortable in mid-table but have everything against them at the moment, and face a battle to avoid an instant return to League One. Something needs to change at Pride Park, and signing Armstrong may be part of that.
Writer’s View
Something needs to change at Derby, and quickly, or their season is in danger of falling apart. Armstrong is a quality midfielder who will bring bite to their side, which is much needed in a relegation battle. It will stand the player in good stead and give him plenty of minutes, which will help him develop. The one worry is his lack of experience, which is less than ideal in this context.
