Derby County are on the verge of ending their extensive search for a new goalkeeper, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom set to complete his transfer this week.

The Rams have been in pursuit of a new shot-stopper since Joe Wildsmith departed the club as a free agent earlier this year, ultimately signing with West Bromwich Albion.

Several candidates were considered, but Paul Warne began the new Championship season with Josh Vickers as his first-choice keeper, largely due to delays in finalizing a deal for Zetterstrom—a saga that has stretched over the past month.

Derby struck a deal with Swedish side Djurgardens to secure Zetterstrom, allowing him to remain with his current club for their Europa Conference League qualifiers. After helping Djurgardens progress past FC Progres and securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Finnish side Ilves, Zetterstrom is poised to play his final match for the club in the second leg on Thursday, hoping to lead them to the next stage.

In an interview with Fotbollskanalen, Zetterstrom expressed his excitement about the move to Derby, describing the club as a “fantastic opportunity” and revealing that he has spoken with manager Paul Warne, who he describes as a “great guy.”

This move marks a significant step forward for Derby County as they continue to build their squad for the season. After securing a goalkeeper, the Rams are expected to focus on strengthening their attacking options, with striker and winger positions likely targets for further recruitment.