Derby County’s Richard Keogh, signed for a modest £1 million, proved to be a valuable addition, playing over 350 games and becoming a defensive stalwart for the club.
His eight-year stint at Derby was marked by personal success and accolades, solidifying his role as a key player in the team’s defense. However, his time at the club came to an abrupt end in 2019 due to a car crash injury and subsequent contract termination.
Despite the challenges, Keogh’s contributions and impact on Derby’s performance during the 2010s, including two Championship play-off final appearances, are notable. The club is now striving for promotion back to the Championship, reminiscing about the quality players like Keogh who graced their ranks during that era.
Richard Keogh signs for Derby
Keogh, a center-back, had been playing in the Championship with Coventry City before joining Derby County for £1 million amid interest from several clubs including Cardiff City, Bristol City, Leeds United, and Derby. His move to Derby marked the beginning of an impactful eight-year tenure at Pride Park, during which he became a stalwart in the team’s defense.
Upon joining Derby, Keogh was immediately named club captain, a role he held throughout his time there. He thrived under the pressure of leadership, expressing his eagerness to perform at his best on the field.
Keogh’s consistency and leadership qualities were evident as he made over 40 appearances in each of his seven full seasons with Derby. He was awarded the club’s Player of the Year in his debut season and played a pivotal role in leading Derby to the play-off final in the subsequent season, although a crucial mistake in the final moments led to a heartbreaking defeat against QPR.
Despite setbacks, Keogh received numerous individual accolades, including being named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year in 2015 and winning the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards multiple times.
His last full season with Derby in 2019 saw him once again named Players’ Player of the Year, capping off a memorable and influential spell at 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
In September 2019, Keogh was involved in a car crash along with teammates Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence, resulting in a torn ACL that sidelined him for 15 months. Consequently, his contract was terminated in October 2019.
Despite this setback, Keogh managed to revive his career and has since played for various teams across the English Football League (EFL). He currently plays for Forest Green Rovers in League Two.
Considering Keogh’s contributions to his former club, having played over 350 games and performed well, his transfer fee of £1 million was undoubtedly a bargain. He should be fondly remembered for his time and achievements with the club.
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