Derby County have signed experienced defender Jack Robinson on an initial three-month contract. The 33-year-old arrives as a free agent after his contract with Birmingham City was terminated by mutual consent at the start of September.
Robinson brings extensive Championship knowledge, having featured almost 300 times in the division. He spent more than five years at Sheffield United, helping them win promotion to the Premier League, before his spell at Birmingham. The defender came through the youth system at Liverpool.
Addressing a defensive crisis
His signing is a direct response to a severe shortage of options at centre-back for manager John Eustace. The club recently lost Sondre Langas to a groin injury that will keep him sidelined until the new year. Before Robinson's arrival, Eustace had only one fully fit central defender available.
The move comes with Derby in a precarious league position, sitting 23rd in the Championship with just six points from ten games, having recorded only one win and three draws so far this season. Their recent form shows no wins in six matches, including a 0-1 home defeat to Stoke City on Saturday 17 October. That result was part of a recent run of zero wins, two draws and three losses in their last five matches, with the team having lost its last two games. Their defensive struggles are reflected in the league table, with the team having conceded 19 goals while scoring only nine. This sequence of recent results includes a 4-1 loss away to QPR on Wednesday 14 October, where Lars-Jørgen Salvesen scored a late consolation, and a 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Saturday 10 October.
Immediate availability
Robinson will not be eligible for Derby's next match, which is away at Sheffield United on Saturday 24 October. The club stated he will first join up with his new teammates after being assessed by the strength and conditioning team. His first potential appearance could come in that fixture against his former club.
Derby's next challenge is that trip to Bramall Lane to face a Sheffield United side currently 15th in the table.
Background and full detail: bbc.co.uk
