Derby County midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn is set to leave Pride Park on a season-long loan to Go Ahead Eagles, with the deal expected to be completed before the Dutch window shuts later tonight.
The move comes after the 22-year-old was left out of the trip to Ipswich Town and slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Lewis Travis.
Goudmijn heads for Eredivisie minutes as Derby trim squad
Goudmijn returns to the Netherlands for the rest of the campaign seeking regular game time. Derby are ready to sanction the exit as part of an ongoing squad reset after a busy summer in which 13 players arrived. The midfielder had made an eye-catching start to last season after joining from AZ Alkmaar for a six-figure fee, scoring in back-to-back Championship wins over Bristol City and Cardiff, but he lost his place as the Rams were dragged into a relegation fight.
Competition in midfield has intensified, with Travis’ addition pushing Goudmijn further down the list. He did not make the squad at the weekend, underlining a reduced role that the club believes will be better served by a loan.
Derby’s headcount management is also a factor. With the 25-man EFL list due, the club currently sits at 26 players. Goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell is not set to be registered, but at least one outfielder would still have to miss out if no further movement occurred.
The outgoings started to flow ahead of the deadline. Kane Wilson joined MK Dons for an undisclosed fee on Sunday, while Jake Rooney sealed a season-long loan to Barnsley and Ben Osborn departed to Stockport County for the rest of the campaign. Goudmijn’s expected switch to Go Ahead Eagles continues that trend and offers the prospect of consistent minutes at Eredivisie level before a return to Pride Park.
Some supporters will be disappointed to see him go given his promising early spell, but Derby are clear that a loan aligns both with the player’s development and the club’s need to streamline after extensive recruitment.
Writer’s View
This is a pragmatic move that suits all parties. Derby protect a four-year investment by sending Goudmijn to a league where he can play regularly, rather than sitting behind new arrivals. For the player, it’s a chance to reset in familiar surroundings and recapture the form that briefly illuminated last season.
For John Eustace, it eases selection pressure as the 25-man list looms after an aggressive window. If Goudmijn strings together games and returns sharper, Derby could yet see the longer-term upside of a decision driven by short-term realities.
