Bobby Duncan has signed a three-year deal with Derby County after a deal was agreed between the East Midlands club and Fiorentina. 

The 19-year-old left Liverpool in the summer of 2019 for a shot at first team football with Fiorentina, a move which didn't work out for the youngster and left a sour taste in the mouth of those at the Merseyside club. 

  • What does Duncan bring to Derby?

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The forward has been signed to initially be a part of the U23 setup at Derby but with the goal of pushing the first-team strikers to the maximum and potentially force his way into the side come the new year. 

Duncan is quick and tricky, he excelled with the U18's with Liverpool scoring 18 goals and grabbing six assists in just 20 appearances during the U18 Premier League season in 18/19. 

With the forward able to play on the wing as well as a number nine, this gives Phillip Cocu the chance to use him in a variety of positions. The ex-Liverpool forward was once thought of as highly as Manchester United revelation Mason Greenwood and it will be interesting to see if he can live up to his potential. 

  • Is the 19-year-old bad news?

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Derby are in a position to chance their arm with some players and Duncan is one of them. A £1.8m move to Fiorentina which hasn't worked out for the youngster means a move to Derby can give him a chance to re-ignite his career in England. 

In what has been a short career so far, this would be Duncan's fourth club by the age of 19. He was snapped up by Liverpool after scoring goals with Manchester City's youth side and the move to Fiorentina was instigated by his agent Saif Rubie after claims of Liverpool damaging his mental health during his time at the club. 

The youngster has a lot to prove but this could be the perfect platform for him to excel, players have progressed from the Championship to perform at a good level in the Premier League such as Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Harry Wilson. This could well be the forward's big break into the senior game. 

  • Coaches Thoughts

Academy Director Darren Wassall spoke to the Derby website.

“Bobby Duncan is a player with plenty of potential and we are delighted that he has chosen to join Derby County.

​​​​​​​“Initially, Bobby will join our Under-23s squad. Like with any other player in our Academy set-up, if they perform both in training and in matches then there is a pathway at this club to progress to the first-team.”