Derby coach's old connection with new signing as free agent bolsters squad

Derby County keeper coach Paul Clements has been able to add a keeper to the ranks who he first helped bring to England almost seven years ago. Nicholas Bilokapic has joined Derby as a free agent on a one-year contract after cancelling his contract at Ipswich Town.

The giant 23-year-old had only joined Ipswich at the end of the winter transfer window last season as back-up while they won promotion to the Premier League. He had previously made 61 first team appearances at Peterborough United, mostly in League One.

He has been brought in to add extra cover for Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, along with veteran duo Josh Vickers and Richard O'Donnell. Vickers has been on the bench so far this season.

Clements knows Bilokapic from their days together at Huddersfield Town. The coach had spotted him playing for Australia at the under-17s World Cup and invited him for a trial in Yorkshire in late 2019. He signed a two-year scholarship in early 2020 and gained experience on loan at Hartlepool before six Championship appearances in 2022/23

He had been thrown into an unexpected senior debut in early 2022 when he helped Huddersfield to a 2-1 FA Cup win at Burnley, with Clements saying: "He's a big boy, he's got lovely feet, and he's so calm between the ears - I think you saw when he came on at Burnley, his second touch he chopped Chris Wood, didn't he! He's someone we hope that if he keeps working hard and he's open to learning and keeping going - which he is - there's no reason he can't have a good career."

Derby are currently preparing for a Pride Park double header, taking on West Brom on Wednesday before hosting Birmingham on Saturday lunchtime.

A statement from the club said: "Bilokapic (adds depth to) Clements' first team goalkeeping group while helping maintain and boost the levels on the training field.."

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