Derby County forward Andreas Weimann has completed a loan move to Austrian Bundesliga side SK Rapid Wien until the end of the 2025/26 season, bringing to a close his second spell at Pride Park this term.
The 34-year-old returns to his hometown of Vienna to re-join the 32-time Austrian champions, where he spent three seasons in their youth setup as a teenager before moving to England in 2007 to join Aston Villa.
For Derby, the move represents both the departure of an experienced forward and the opportunity to manage squad numbers in the winter transfer window.
Weimann first joined the Rams in 2015, spending three seasons at Pride Park and becoming a key part of the squad.
After leaving Derby, he returned last summer for a second spell, making 27 appearances across the current campaign.
While mostly used from the bench, he made notable contributions, including a late winner in a 1‑0 away victory at West Bromwich Albion in September and three assists, the most recent coming in the club’s 5‑0 demolition of Bristol City.
For Weimann, the loan is about more than club football. The Austrian international has earned 26 full caps and will be hoping regular first-team football with Rapid Wien strengthens his bid for a place in Austria’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Derby had initially turned down Rapid’s approach earlier in the week, but the late arrival of Sammie Szmodics from Ipswich Town on deadline day prompted a rethink.
Recognising that consistent minutes abroad would benefit Weimann’s international ambitions, the Rams sanctioned the move, allowing him to leave Pride Park with the club’s full support.
There is no obligation for Rapid to make the transfer permanent once the loan ends, and Weimann’s contract at Derby is due to expire this summer, although the club retain an option to extend it by a further 12 months.
For Derby, the move also reflects a pragmatic approach to squad management, ensuring fringe players get opportunities elsewhere while maintaining options back at Pride Park.
Rapid Wien, one of Austria’s most decorated clubs, have won the Bundesliga 32 times and are currently sitting in seventh place, just one point outside the top six ahead of the league split.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side will be hoping Weimann’s experience and Premier League and Championship pedigree help them climb the table in the second half of the season.
He could make his first-team debut for Rapid this weekend against Hartberg, bringing a proven attacking option to HĂĽtteldorf.
From Derby’s perspective, this move is also a chance to showcase a former Pride Park favourite abroad, while giving Weimann a platform to continue contributing at a high level.
His time in English football, including a prolific spell at Bristol City where he scored 50 goals over six seasons, underlines the experience and quality Derby have allowed to gain valuable minutes elsewhere.
For Weimann himself, the loan represents both a sentimental homecoming and a strategic career move.
Returning to the club where it all began gives him a chance to play regularly, contribute on the field, and maintain momentum for his international ambitions, while Derby can monitor his progress with an option to retain or extend his contract.
