Wednesday 7 June 2017 10:30, UK
Curtis Davies has signed for Derby County for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract becoming the club's first signing of the close-season.
The experienced centre-back has joined from Hull where he spent four years and the former West Brom, Aston Villa and Birmingham City player has the option of a further year at Pride Park.
"I wanted to come here to try and win and achieve things, Davies told the club's TV channel. "This is an opportunity for me to reinvigorate myself."
Davies is Gary Rowett's first signing since his appointment as manager in March and strengthens the club's defensive options ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
Davies, who suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, admitted he was ready for a 'new challenge'.
"I'm very excited," he said. "I spent four years with Hull; four years that I really enjoyed through the highs and the lows. I felt, though, that it was time for a new challenge for myself.
"It was all very quick but, the opportunity to play for this manager in a team which is very strong, I believe it's a good opportunity for us as a team to get back into the Premier League.
"We've seen what Derby can do and I believe, under this manager for a full season, the squad that we've got is more than capable of promotion or at least the play-offs."
The 32-year-old has played 464 games and scored 26 goals in club football. He has worn the captain's armband at a number of his previous clubs, including in the Premier League and also an FA Cup Final.
Davies also boasts experience of gaining promotion to the Premier League from the Championship, having been part of the Hull side that reached the top flight in 2016 when they edged Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Wembley.
"I believe that, at my age, people start thinking that you want to wind down and look for a bit of security but that is not the case with me; if I'd have wanted that, I would have stayed at Hull," Davies added. "I wanted to come here to try and win and achieve things because ultimately, every single one of us want to play in the Premier League."
He was capped three times by England at Under-21 level between 2006 and 2007. He also received a full international call-up under Fabio Capello, but failed to make an appearance.
