Agyemang is here and he's excited about it - but first the striker needs a hernia op

PATRICK Agyemang has finally arrived at Pride Park Stadium and says he is “excited” about the challenge ahead - but hew looks likely to miss the start of the season, as he needs a routine hernia operation.

- By ETHAN EVANS

Agyemang, a United States international striker, has signed a four-year contract in a deal believed to be worth £5.8m from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Charlotte FC - which includes a sell-on clause.

It comes just over a week after the 24-year-old started for the USA in their 2-1 Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico.

However, the Rams confirmed in a statement the player will undergo a “routine” surgery on a longstanding hernia problem which could rule him out of the opening games of the Championship season.

Agyemang played a starring role for Charlotte since arriving as the 12th overall draft pick from the University of Rhode Island in 2023, scoring 17 goals in 59 MLS regular-season appearances.