Derby County have pulled off a shrewd piece of business by signing German midfielder Filip Bilbija on a free transfer. The Rams, sitting eighth in the Championship with 69 points from 46 games and a recent run of LWLWL form, add the 25-year-old to their squad as they chase a top-half finish.
What’s the Bilbija deal?
Bilbija, 25, has agreed to a three-year contract at Pride Park after leaving Paderborn 07. The move comes as Derby, who have conceded 59 goals this season and sit 26 points adrift of Coventry in the title race, look to tighten their midfield options. The German arrives with Bundesliga 2 experience, having fired 17 goals in all competitions last term to help Paderborn secure promotion back to the top flight for the first time since 2019-20.
Where has he played before?
Bilbija’s career has taken him across Germany’s lower divisions. He started at FC Ingolstadt 04 in 2019, then spent a single season at Hamburger SV in 2022-23 before joining Paderborn 07 in 2023. The attacking midfielder has also turned out for Berlin youth sides Tennis Borussia and FC Hertha 03 Zehlendorf, giving him a broad base in the country’s youth setups.
What does he bring to Derby?
Derby’s attack has struggled at times this season, with just 67 goals scored so far. Bilbija offers creativity and goals from midfield, a profile that could slot into Wayne Rooney’s plans as the Rams chase a late push for a play-off spot. He’s already linked up with his new teammates in Austria and could feature in Friday’s friendly against Freiburg, Derby’s latest pre-season test.
Who else has Derby signed this summer?
Bilbija joins Bobby Clark, who arrived from RB Salzburg for £6 million, and free-agent Charlie Taylor, who left Southampton. The trio form the spine of Derby’s summer rebuild as they chase a top-half finish in the Championship. With the transfer window still open, more arrivals could follow before the deadline.
League standing: Derby County sit eighth in the Championship with 69 points from 46 games, six behind sixth-placed Ipswich and 26 adrift of leaders Coventry. Their goal difference stands at +8 after 67 goals scored and 59 conceded.
