Derby County make announcement as pre-season plans take shape

Head coach John Eustace and his squad will make the trip to the Tyrol region, scheduled for a week from July 18 to July 25.

Derby went to Austria last summer as part of their Championship preparations in what was a move away from Spain where they had been for the previous two summers.

A friendly game will take place but the opponents and the date of the game has yet to be announced.

Last year, they faced RB Salzburg and secured a 2-1 victory through goals from winger Corey Blackett-Taylor and Kayden Jackson.

Pre-season tours have proven to be hugely effective for teams as part of their preparations for the season.

They are designed to establish fitness and work intensely on tactical work.

The Tyrol region offers optimal altitude for conditioning and top-tier training facilities. Among the teams to have used it as a base in pre-season are Newcastle United, Leeds, Huddersfield while the German national team also used it in 2021 in preparation for the European Championships.

Derby's trip will also allow any new signings to settle in with their team-mates ahead of the new season.

The news comes after Derby released their retained list last week.

The Australian is one of four players released, bringing an end to a three-year stay at Pride Park.

Jake Rooney, Ben Osborn and Andi Weimann will also depart ahead of what is expected to be a significant summer of transfer activity.

Centre-back Danny Batth, who is out of contract, is also in talks over a new deal that would extend his stay at Derby for another 12 months.

The club said in a statement: "Four senior members of John Eustace’s squad are to be released following the expiry of their contracts at Pride Park – Callum Elder, Ben Osborn, Jake Rooney and Andi Weimann.

"Out-of-contract defender Danny Batth is in talks to extend his stay with the club, while goalkeepers Richard O’Donnell and Josh Vickers, and defender Joe Ward had all committed their futures to the club, having signed new terms during the 2025/26 season.

"The club also welcomes back loanees Corey Blackett-Taylor, Dajaune Brown, Kenzo Goudmijn and Ryan Nyambe.

"All departing players will leave with the club’s very best wishes for the future, alongside its thanks for their efforts."

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