Derby County have made a short-term move for former Premier League defender Erik Pieters.
The center back has played for both Stoke City and Burnley in the top flight and was most recently at Luton Town over the winter but failed to register a single appearance.
Eustace Makes Second Move
It marks The Rams’ second signing of the John Eustace era, with the former Blackburn Rovers boss also signing former Leeds United striker Keemar Roofe as a free agent since arriving at the start of the month. Pieters, who last played in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion, had been training with the Pride Park side for the past few weeks.
In an interview with the club’s official media, the former Dutch international said:
“I’m in that transition period in my career, but I have still felt ready to play. I was in contact with John Eustace earlier in the season when he was at Blackburn Rovers. Then, out of the blue, he just messaged me when he was at Derby and it’s been really good for me.
“It’s a great group. It’s been good fun, and the group is all really determined in what they do. I’m looking forward to being part of that and helping Derby to stay in the league.”
A resurgence with Eustace has seen Derby edge to within one point of escaping the bottom three after a three game winning streak, and face Preston North End on Tuesday as the Lancashire side prepare for an FA Cup quarter-final bout with Aston Villa at Deepdale.
Writer’s View
Experience has been a key target for Championship sides in their free agent recruitment as seen with Swansea City‘s move for Cyrus Christie earlier in the season, and now John Eustace has done it for Derby with both Keemar Roofe and Erik Pieters. The defender adds great experience alongside Craig Forsyth at the back and will be a great rotation option to have in this final stretch. He will likely not get many starts, but if he can deliver when called upon, then this will be a successful short-term signing. It seems he is a player John Eustace has wanted for a long time, as Pieters said he was a target for him at Blackburn.
