Derby County have made one of the biggest and most shocking moves on deadline day, just getting in before the window shut to sign Norwich City's Bradley Johnson. He has signed a four-year deal at the iPro Stadium, while both clubs did not disclose the transfer fee.
Johnson has gone from strength to strength at the East Anglian club after joining from Leeds United back in 2011. The decision to bring him in for free was an inspired one and has made over 150 appearances, scoring over 20 goals.
The 28-year-old became a fixture in the side as soon as he joined and was their player of the season when he hauled them out of the Championship at the first time of asking. After scoring 15 goals last term, Johnson will hope to replicate that form with the Rams.
He is the second signing that Derby made on deadline day. Jacob Butterfield had arrived earlier on in the afternoon; another midfielder, Butterfield joins from Huddersfield and has also committed himself to the club until 2018.
Clement has his say on the deal
Butterfield and Johnson became the club's eighth and ninth signings of the summer, respectively. Paul Clement, the new Derby head coach, was understandably happy to bring both to the club. “Being able to bring Bradley to Derby represents a major coup for the football club," he said.
He continued, eluding to the fact that the middle of the park is an area of which they have been "trying to strengthen". Clement wanted quality players, and not just quantity, admitting that "Bradley certainly brings that in abundance".
The former-Real Madrid assistant coach believes Johnson's experience will be "invaluable", adding that "he knows how to get out of this division" and is a "leader" within his squad. Clement concluded by saying he was "delighted" to add a player of the midfielder's "stature and quality” to their squad.