The dreaded second season is looming ever closer, with a nearly thirty million transfer budget we could certainly make some moves in the window but with our wages proving to be lagging behind our rivals its going to be a tough window as we look to make the most of our money.
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Chris Martin headed ten departures from the team as their contracts drew to a close. The striker served us well in the Championship but fell well short in the top flight struggling his way to five goals. Joining him out of the club was veteran midfielder Barry Ferguson, Spanish defender Derik, left back Craig Forsyth and goalkeeper Lee Grant all four making their way to new clubs for the coming season, with Derik and Grant both staying in the Premier League with Watford and Liverpool respectively.
The rest of our departures mainly came from loanees, with the only one of note being that of Mason Bennett. The striker was touted as a future star but is struggling to meet his potential a season long spell on the front lines with Preston could hopefully rejuvenate his career.
With a massive upheaval in the team, we've witnessed twenty six departures all be it mainly from our promising youth players leaving on loan but non the less there's still plenty of work to be done to fill in the gaps before the season starts.
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Cost: 4,500,000
From: Aston Villa
With Neill departing a month before the end of the season we needed a replacement right back and young Johsua Webb fitted the bill perfectly. At just Twenty years of ago he has plenty of potential to live up to but with his current defensive abilities and nippy turn of speed he could make an instant impact in the coming season down the right flank.
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Cost: 7,000,000
From: Liverpool
We needed a left back to strengthen our defence, with Spaniard, Nobeljas struggling with life in the Premier League, fortunately for us Liverpool had just the man we need. Jack Robinson has struggled to break into a team now packed with foreign talent so when a chance at first team football with Derby came around he happily jumped at the opportunity as we strengthen our ranks with another young player.
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Cost: 3,000,000
From: Pescara
If you haven't guessed by now, defence was very much my priority at the start of the window. Despite performing admirably last season our defence was stretched and a lack of strength in depth left us exposed throughout the season but with additions like Bacchetti we've certainly plugged the gap and with his outstanding technical abilities and impressive fitness he's certainly a ready made young centre back for this level.
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Cost: 2,600,000
From: Inter Milan
With Ignjovski signed last season we've already got a very strong defensive midfielder in our ranks, however the Serbian brute has an all to worrying trait of getting himself sent off, fortunately for us Inter had the perfect back up wanting to escape Italy, as we quickly snapped up Alfred Duncan to put some more strength behind our midfield.
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Cost: Free
From: Out of Contract
An absolute steal. Guidetti was released by Machester City following their disastrous season and we quickly took advantage, signing the Swedish striker to a long term contract. He is blessed with a lethal right foot and solid all round technical and physical abilities that should help him become a formidable force in the Premier League for years to come. I truly think Guidetti is going to be leading my strike force for a long time yet. Very happy with this one.
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Cost: 2,500,000
From: Atlanta
With Lee Grant setting off for pastures new in Liverpool we had an opening for a back up goalkeeper and Italian stopper Colombi certainly fit the bill well. With Rudd already between the sticks, I've got two dependable young goalkeepers vying for the starting position. Hopefully with the added competition we should see some more impressive performances from our keepers this season.
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Cost: 5,000,000
From: Valencia
With Guidetti joining our ranks we've got a ready made Premiership striker in our midst however with Martin departing we still needed some depth to help us keep the goals coming in the top flight. Spaniard striker, Paco Alacer has a deal of developing still to do but alongside his fellow striker partners Islam Feruz and Guidetti we have three of the brightest strikers in the Premier League who will be the ideal cover in the season to come.
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Cost: 2,300,000
From: Stoke City
Truth be told I wanted Robert Huth but couldnt afford his wages, however James Tomkins makes an able bodied replacement who will certainly be able to hold his own at this level from the off. With his strong defensive abilities and stength the oldest arrival in the window will be looking to make an instant impact starting alongside Craig Dawson at the heart of our defence.
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All in all a pretty solid window for the Rams. The budget proved to stop us from signing many of the better players available but non the less we scooped up some quality young talent and more importantly look stronger then the season before as we once again try to beat the drop.