Liam: Rams still the only club I wanted to be with

DERBY County midfielder Liam Thompson has been talking about his decision to stay with the Rams.

- By BRIAN DICK

The 23-year-old agreed a new contract that will see him stay at Pride Park until the summer of 2027.

There was delay in him signing, during which time head coach John Eustace made point of saying that he wanted Thompson to stay and pointing out how often he had played him towards the end of the season.

Thompson played 31 times last season, bringing up a century of appearances for the academy graduate and certainly proved himself to Eustace during the Rams' remarkable late surge that lifted them clear of relegation.

Speaking from the Rams' summer training camp in Austrai, Thompson told the club website there was nowhere else he wanted to be.

"It meant everything to me to get the new deal signed," he said.

"It is home and the club I love. This is where I want to play my football and the gaffer has been incredible since he came in with everyone.

"It is an important time for me, and I feel like I can kick-start my career.

"I am really excited and over the moon to be staying.

"We have new challenges ahead now and a new season, especially with the gaffer bringing in new players and the ones he wants.

"I want to kick on now from the back end of last season.