Tuesday 4 July 2017 07:49, UK
Derby County have confirmed the signing of former Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom.
The move was agreed last month but Derby waited until the player returned from his summer holiday, following the successful completion of a medical.
The 24-year-old defender, who is returning to Pride Park after a loan spell during the 2013/14 season, becomes Gary Rowett's second summer signing following the capture of experienced centre-back Curtis Davies from Hull City.
"I loved it at Derby so it is good to sign," Wisdom told the club's official TV channel. "It helps that I have been here before so I am familiar with some of the players and staff, as well as how the club works, so it made the decision easy.
"To be honest, Derby does feel like home. When I was here before we had a great season and we were unlucky at the end not to go up, but aside from the play-off final everything clicked and we all enjoyed it.
"I feel that I played the best season of my professional career here before. Even after I left Derby and went elsewhere, I don't think I was playing the kind of football that I was during that loan spell. It's good to be back and I hope I can replicate what I did before this time around."
Wisdom, who made 22 first-team appearances for Liverpool, helped Derby reach the Sky Bet Championship play-off final in 2014, losing to Queens Park Rangers.
Derby will begin their Championship campaign against Sunderland on August 4, live on Sky Sports, and Wisdom is eager to hit the ground running for his new club.
"I've had a good summer and relaxed, but I've kept myself ticking over," Wisdom said. "I have recharged the batteries but stayed in shape.
"Pre-season is underway now and I hope I can get into the swing of things again. We have Sunderland on the opening day which is a big game between two big clubs; hopefully we can start with the result that we want."
He added: "I spoke to Gary Rowett on the phone and from the first conversation it was clear how he wants to work and how we're going to move on in the right direction.
"I think he will be a good manager to play for. I watched some of the games from when he came in and from what I have seen I think I can fit into his style of play."
