Richard Keogh moves to derby county for £1 million.
Derby County is presently vying for relegation to the Championship in an attempt to rejoin the division in which they competed for the whole of the 2010s.
Derby County is presently vying for relegation to the Championship in an attempt to rejoin the division in which they competed for the whole of the 2010s.
During that time, the Rams reached two Championship play-off finals in 2014 and 2019 but lost both times to Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa.
Following this, they experienced financial difficulties, which resulted in their 2022 relegation to League One.
Nevertheless, despite their lackluster results, they had a number of players during their Championship years who were simply exceptional. especially in the 18/19 season, when they had players like Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, and Harry Wilson.
Richard Keogh, who would end up being a bargain signing, was one man who was there for the majority of the 2010s and was a constant for the team.
Richard Keogh joins Derby County
Richard Keogh Keogh was a center back who had played for Coventry City in the Championship before. After the Sky Blues were demoted in 2012, Keogh’s impressive play attracted the attention of Championship clubs.
The teams primarily pursuing Keogh were Derby, Leeds United, Bristol City, Cardiff City, and Bristol City. However, Derby acquired him for £1 million, and Cardiff withdrew from the agreement because they were unable to match Derby’s salary.
He would play for the next eight seasons at Pride Park and establish himself as a vital member of Derby’s defense in the years to come.
The day he arrived, he was named club captain, a title he would hold for the duration of his tenure at the club. He remarked, “I thrive on the pressure,” after receiving the armband. It makes me feel like my best self. I eagerly anticipate playing outside because I look forward to it.”
The Irishman would keep his promise. He would go on to play in every one of Derby’s seven complete seasons, totaling over 40 appearances, solidifying his place in the starting lineup.
In his first season, he was named the team’s Player of the Year, and the following year, he guided them to the play-off championship. Although he would make a huge error, gifting the ball to striker Bobby Zamora in injury time, who would score and send QPR to the Premier League, breaking Derby’s hearts.
He would go on to receive numerous honors in his lifetime. He was selected for the Championship PFA Team of the Year in 2015. In 2016, he would once again be named the club’s Player of the Year, and also the Players’ Player of the Year.
Winning the Players’ Player of the Year award again in 2019 following another play-off final loss, it would be his last full season with the club.
Richard Keogh’s Derby stats (all competitions, as per FotMob)
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 19/20 | 8 | 0 |
| 18/19 | 57 | 3 |
| 17/18 | 45 | 1 |
| 16/17 | 48 | 1 |
| 15/16 | 49 | 1 |
| 14/15 | 53 | 0 |
| 13/14 | 47 | 1 |
| 12/13 | 49 | 5 |
Despite Keogh’s exit he should be remembered fondly
Richard Keogh
In September 2019, Keogh was involved in a car crash with teammates Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence.
He would injure himself, tearing his ACL, leaving him out for 15 months. He would then have his contract terminated in October 2019.
He would revitalise his career afterwards, playing for various teams across the EFL since his return, and he now finds himself in League Two with Forest Green Rovers.
But there is no doubt that at £1 million, for the amount of games Keogh played (over 350) for the club, and how well he did, he was a bargain and should be fondly remembered.During that time, the Rams reached two Championship play-off finals in 2014 and 2019 but lost both times to Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa.
After this time, they were stricken by financial issues, which led to their relegation to League One in 2022.
However, during their Championship years, despite their failed success, they had a number of players of sheer quality across that time period. In particular during the 18/19 campaign, boasting players like Harry Wilson, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount.
But one man who was there during the majority of the 2010s who was an ever-present for the side was Richard Keogh, who would turn out to be a bargain signing.
Richard Keogh signs for Derby
Richard Keogh
Keogh was a centre-back, who had previously been playing in the Championship with Coventry City. The Sky Blues were relegated though in 2012, and with Keogh impressing, Championship clubs were interested in signing him.
Cardiff City, Bristol City, Leeds United and Derby were the main teams chasing Keogh. But Derby signed him, and he joined for £1 million, with Cardiff pulling out of a deal as they could not match Derby’s wages.
He would go on to play at Pride Park for the next eight seasons and would become a key figure in the Derby defence for years to come.
Named club captain the day after his arrival, he would retain the title for the entirety of his time at the club. Upon being given the armband, he said: “I thrive on the pressure. I feel it brings out the best in me. It’s something I look forward to and I cannot wait to get out there and play.”
The Irishman would live up to those words. He would go on to make over 40 appearances in each of his seven full campaigns with Derby, becoming an ever-present in the side.
He would win the club’s Player of the Year in his first season and led them to the play-off final the next season. Although he would make a huge error, gifting the ball to striker Bobby Zamora in injury time, who would score and send QPR to the Premier League, breaking Derby’s hearts.
He would go on to pick up many personal accolades. In 2015 he would be named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year. In 2016, he would once again be named the club’s Player of the Year, and also the Players’ Player of the Year.
Winning the Players’ Player of the Year award again in 2019 following another play-off final loss, it would be his last full season with the club.
GET MORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply