Clubs may have seen the transfer window slam shut, but business can still be done and among the players currently searching for their next opportunity are several familiar faces with connections to Derby County.
The Rams themselves are not expected to dip into the free-agent market after a busy January that brought a flurry of arrivals and departures, yet the list of unattached players still features some notable names who once passed through Pride Park.
From established internationals to former prospects once tipped for the top, each finds himself at a different crossroads in his career.
Once regarded as one of England’s brightest attacking talents, Jesse Lingard seemed destined for the very top after emerging through Manchester United’s ranks.
A former Derby loanee earlier in his career, Lingard most recently played in South Korea with FC Seoul, scoring 10 goals in 34 appearances.
Now 31 and a free agent, he has no intention of hanging up his boots. Reports in recent days have suggested Brazil could be his next destination, with newly promoted Remo reportedly interested in offering him a fresh challenge in South America.
Where he lands next remains uncertain, but his pedigree ensures he will not be short of options.
Few young players generated as much excitement at Derby in recent years as Malcolm Ebiowei. Signed after leaving Rangers, he flourished under Wayne Rooney and quickly attracted Premier League interest.
That move arrived when he joined Crystal Palace during Derby’s administration period, with many predicting his career would take off.
Instead, his progress stalled. Loan spells at Hull City, RWD Molenbeek and Oxford United followed, and after struggling to make an impact at Oxford under Gary Rowett, he joined Blackpool permanently last summer.
Steve Bruce spoke enthusiastically about his potential, but the deal ended abruptly after just four appearances when his contract was terminated. Still only 22, Ebiowei now faces a crucial next step that could define his future in the game.
Veteran defender Erik Pieters arrived at Derby during last season’s relegation fight, making a brief substitute appearance against Stoke City on the final day of the campaign.
His signing was never primarily about minutes on the pitch; instead, he was brought in for leadership, professionalism and dressing-room influence alongside experienced figures such as Martyn Waghorn, Kemar Roofe and Jeff Hendrick.
Head coach John Eustace spoke highly of Pieters’ attitude and even gave him game time in pre-season ahead of the new Championship season.
Now released, the former Premier League full-back remains available, and his experience could still prove valuable for a club seeking a steady head at the back.
Few players are remembered more fondly by Derby supporters than Chris Martin, who scored more than 70 goals in all competitions for the club.
Since leaving Pride Park in 2020, the striker has represented Bristol City, QPR and Bristol Rovers.
At Rovers he showed he still possessed his trademark finishing ability, scoring 21 goals in 57 league appearances, but a serious knee injury last March halted his momentum.
Now 37 and working his way back to full fitness, Martin is firmly in the twilight of his career. Retirement may not be far away, yet for now he remains available for any side seeking a proven and experienced front man.
Another player who built a strong bond with Rams fans is Johnny Russell.
The winger made more than 170 league appearances across five seasons for Derby before embarking on a successful spell in Major League Soccer with Kansas City.
Over six years in the United States he amassed more than 190 appearances and scored 60 goals, underlining his consistency and durability.
He most recently featured for Real Salt Lake, scoring twice in 12 league outings before his release in late 2025.
Having already played club football in Scotland, England and America, Russell’s career has been defined by adaptability and his next destination could add yet another chapter to that journey.
Although Derby appear satisfied with their current squad, the free-agent list shows how fluid football careers can be once contracts expire.
Some, like Lingard, are still chasing new challenges abroad; others, such as Ebiowei, are trying to reignite stalled momentum; while veterans like Pieters and Martin weigh experience against time.
What unites them is their shared link to Derby and the sense that their stories are not finished yet. The transfer window may have closed, but for these familiar names, the search for the next opportunity goes on.
