Derby County are nearing their major goalkeeper signing, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom scheduled to travel from Sweden, according to Aftonbladet.
The Rams reportedly agreed to a fee of around £1.4 million for the Djurgarden goalkeeper last week, as reported by Expressen. The 26-year-old is now set to meet with the club.
The proposed deal for Widell Zetterstrom has faced delays due to the Allsvenskan side’s involvement in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. Zetterstrom played in Djurgarden’s 3-0 victory over Progres on Thursday and is expected to feature again in the second leg against the Luxembourgish team this week.
Amidst Djurgarden’s ECL qualifiers, Aftonbladet reports that Zetterstrom is scheduled to meet with Derby County representatives in London. Bosse Andersson, the manager of the Swedish team, has confirmed that Zetterstrom will be in the English capital on Monday before returning to Stockholm that evening for Djurgarden’s upcoming match in Luxembourg.
Derby County’s Summer Activity
Derby County has been busy this summer, making significant moves to strengthen the squad. Paul Warne has successfully recruited six players to bolster various positions for the newly promoted team.
Jerry Yates has joined on a season-long loan from Swansea City, and Kayden Jackson has been permanently acquired from Ipswich Town to enhance Derby County’s attack.
Warne has admitted that he still aims to bring in more new players before the Rams’ season opener away to Blackburn Rovers, with the goalkeeper position being particularly crucial to address.
The Derby County Goalkeepers’ Situation
Derby County currently has a shortage of goalkeepers, with Josh Vickers as the only senior option available.
Former Cardiff City player Rohan Luthra has been on trial with the Rams, playing twice in pre-season so far, and is expected to join as the third-choice keeper.
Jack Thompson, a 17-year-old, has also played this summer, featuring briefly against Matlock Town in Derby’s first friendly. However, he is likely to remain with the club’s U21s for the upcoming season.
Joe Wildsmith, who was the Rams’ number one for the past two seasons and won League One’s Golden Glove, was released and has since joined West Brom. Meanwhile, Scott Loach has retired.
If Derby County secures a deal for Widell Zetterstrom, it would be their first seven-figure signing since Kamil Jozwiak in 2020.
It is crucial for the Rams to sign a new number one goalkeeper, and the Sweden international appears to be the leading candidate for this role at Pride Park in the coming weeks.