David Ozoh has signed a permanent contract with Derby County, making his third debut for the club in Saturday's match at West Ham. The midfielder's move from Crystal Palace was confirmed on deadline day, finalising a return to Pride Park after two successful loan spells.
Ozoh had other options when he decided to leave Crystal Palace this summer. He told RamsTV in an exclusive interview that the connection he built with the club and its supporters made Derby his clear choice. "It was all up in the air over the summer," Ozoh said, "but I felt all the love from the fans, from the gaffer, and I wanted to come back." The 21-year-old communicated directly with Head of Football Operations Leigh Bromby and manager Paul Warne throughout the transfer process, eventually taking a train to Derby to complete the paperwork. He received messages from about ten Derby players asking when he was returning.
Ozoh's arrival comes as Derby sit 21st in the Championship table with four points from five games. Their recent form reads LWLDL, with five goals scored and ten conceded for a -5 goal difference. The Rams are currently seven points behind league leaders West Ham, the team Ozoh faced in his first appearance back. He entered Saturday's match at London Stadium as a substitute after 21 minutes. His experience in the Championship and previous Premier League debut with Crystal Palace adds depth to a midfield that will need to contribute as the club looks to climb the table.
The immediate focus shifts to Wednesday night's home match against West Bromwich Albion at Pride Park. Ozoh spoke to RamsTV ahead of that fixture, expressing his excitement about playing at what he now considers home. "I'm delighted to be back," he stated. "It's good to finally call this place a home." Following the West Brom game, Derby face Birmingham at home on September 12th. Birmingham currently sit 14th in the table. The full fixtures schedule shows a busy period ahead for Warne's side as they seek to improve their league position.
Ozoh's permanent signing provides stability in a squad dealing with several absentees. Key players Craig Forsyth, Derry Murkin, Matt Clarke, and Rhian Brewster are currently sidelined. His ability to slot straight into the team without an adaptation period could prove valuable during this stretch. The club's current standings position adds urgency to every match, starting with the visit of West Brom this week. David Ozoh will be looking to make his first start since returning in that fixture at Pride Park Stadium.
