--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T19:03:22.997Z last_updated: 2026-07-22T10:59:48+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/derby-county/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVyYnl0ZWxlZ3JhcGguY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy9kZXJieS1jb3VudHktdHJhbnNmZXJzLXJhYmJpLW1hdG9uZG8tMTEwNzE0Mzg --- # A £9.6m transfer, Guardiola invite and the big question mark after Derby link - **Source:** - **Published:** 22 Jul - **Club:** Derby County - **Original URL:** https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-transfers-rabbi-matondo-11071438 Derby County are said to be monitoring Wales international Rabbi Matondo as they look to bolster their attack ahead of the Championship season. The Rams are in the market to bolster their forward line with Matondo said to be a player of interest with the wideman currently on trial at Sheffield United. Middlesbrough have also been reportedly circling the 25-year-old who is free to leave SK Brann after a four-month spell in Norway failed to yield the minutes on the pitch for which he had been hoping. As he looks to return to England, here we take an in-depth look at Matondo who once moved for £9.6m. What's his background Matondo was born in Liverpool, but his parents relocated to Cardiff. He grew up in Wales, where he came through Cardiff City's academy. His father, Dada, was a former footballer in the DR Congo, and his brothers, Cedrick and Japhet, also play football. He spent 10 years in the Bluebirds' academy, but his pace and dribbling ability soon drew attention. He was hailed as one of the most exciting talents Cardiff had on their books since Aaron Ramsey, which inevitably started to pique the interest of Premier League clubs who came to watch him. Manchester City eventually made their move for him in 2016 before he had even made a senior appearance for Cardiff. He was just 15 at the time as City paid a nominal compensation fee. He was placed in their Elite Development Squad with the aim of putting him on a pathway to the first team. During his time at City, he recorded a 20-metre sprint time that was quicker than Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, and Leroy Sane. Matondo went on to play for City in the EFL Trophy and was invited to regularly train with the first team under Pep Guardiola. However, with first-team opportunities sparse, owed to the talent ahead of him in the pecking order, he decided against a new contract with City and moved to Schalke for £9.6m in 2019. Spells at Stoke and Brugge followed, before he switched to Rangers in 2022. What were his recent years like? Matondo's time north of the border did not reach the heights many had expected, largely due to frustrating injuries. However, he hit the headlines with a stunning goal in a 3-3 draw against Celtic, demonstrating his ability. While there was obvious talent, being sidelined did not help and in March this year he moved to SK Brann in Norway. Matondo thought it would be a fresh start after admitting his Rangers career had struggled to get off the ground. "I had a tough time at Rangers, and I never reached my potential there," he said after joining SK Brann. "Every single season was basically ruined by various injuries. "Now I just want to stay injury-free and able to play football. If I can do that, I know I will find the rhythm and confidence. I just have to take it day by day, but I know I can play regularly for my country and get back to the highest level if I become robust enough to stay injury-free. "The window was closed in Scotland, and I had no other thoughts than to stay at Rangers until after the end of the season in May. But then, suddenly, my agent called the day I had travelled to a national team training camp with Wales. "I had seen Brann in Europe, and saw that it was a good team that played good football. So I knew about the club, but didn't know much more than that. The Wales manager Craig Bellamy said to me that Brann are a big club in Norway and to go and prove myself." Unfortunately, despite Matondo's intentions, he struggled to make an impact in Norway, playing just 30 minutes across three appearances. He is now free to leave the club. What is his style of play? He is a left-sided winger who likes to come inside, as his goal against Celtic proved and was a strike that won their goal of the season award for the 2023/24 season. He is blessed with searing pace and is excellent on the counter-attack. He has won 15 caps for his country and has proven that when he is fit, his speed and dribbling ability will cause any defender problems. If there is a big question mark, as there is with a lot of players with explosive pace, it is their ability to stay fit. That's probably the biggest frustration with Matondo because there have never been any doubts about his quality. He has only had one 40-game season, which came at Cercle Brugge. Derby are keen to add pace to their attack, and he would certainly add plenty of it. Which clubs are interested? Matondo is currently on trial with Sheffield United, but they have yet to decide whether to offer him a contract. He did impress in a pre-season friendly against Levante, but other clubs have been linked with him in the last week. Derby are said to be one club that is keeping tabs on Matondo, while Middlesbrough are also rumoured to be circling. But it appears that United are in the driving seat as it currently stands. They are in the market for a left-winger, just as Derby are. A decision on his future is expected this week. The transfer window is now open, the signings are being linked and players could be heading for the exit door at Pride Park as it promises to be a pre-season of change at the club. Every day, the DerbyshireLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Rams content. Our dedicated reporter Leigh Curtis - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows the Rams home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between. WhatsApp: You can also get all your favourite content from DerbyshireLive's Rams team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club. App: If you prefer reading our Rams stories on your phone, consider downloading the DerbyshireLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Derby County as one of your designated topics. 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