Derby County have been handed a major boost in their summer transfer plans after being given the green light to sign a former Manchester City defender.
As the Rams prepare for life back in the Championship, manager Paul Warne is already shaping his squad to compete at a higher level, and this latest development marks a significant step in that direction.
The player in question is 26-year-old defender Cameron Humphreys, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester City but has since made a name for himself with strong performances in both England and abroad. Most recently plying his trade at Rotherham United, Humphreys has attracted attention for his composure on the ball, tactical awareness, and leadership qualities at the back. With Rotherham suffering relegation, it’s understood that the player is open to a move in order to continue playing Championship football.
According to sources close to the situation, Derby have received the go-ahead to begin formal negotiations, with personal terms not expected to be a major stumbling block. While a fee has not yet been confirmed, it’s believed that Rotherham are willing to let the defender go for a reasonable price due to their drop to League One and Humphreys’ desire to stay at a higher level.
Humphreys’ potential arrival would represent a strong statement of intent from Derby, who are determined to build a squad capable of stabilising in the Championship and pushing toward the top half of the table. Warne, who previously managed Humphreys at Rotherham, is said to be a key factor in the move, with the pair sharing a good relationship.
Derby fans will no doubt be encouraged by the ambition being shown so early in the summer, with defensive reinforcements high on the club’s agenda. With Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin attracting interest from other clubs, securing an experienced yet still relatively young defender like Humphreys could prove to be a shrewd move.
As talks progress, the Rams will be hoping to wrap up the deal quickly to allow Humphreys to join up with the squad for pre-season and hit the ground running ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. If completed, the move would be another step forward in Derby’s post-administration rebuild under new ownership and Warne’s leadership.
