HIGGINBOTHAM SIGNS FOR DERBY

The 21-year-old has secured a four-year-deal at Pride Park - and the highly rated full-back will be unveiled to the fans at a press conference on the 6th July.

Higginbotham was part of the hugely successful Manchester United youth set-up, but after failing to break into the first team behind Phil Neville and Denis Irwin was loaned out to Belgian side Royal Antwerp along with Ronnie Wallwork.

However, both players became figures of controversy after an incident involving the referee in the Belgian cup-final saw them banned from domestic competition on the continent.

The move comes as something of a surprise with many beleieving that Higginbotham was being cultivated to take over from Irwin when he retires.

Derby have been seeking a left sided defender since the departure of veteran Tony Dorigo, and the fee reflects Rams boss Jim Smith's faith in the youngster.