3/1 To Win
Frank Lampard added further firepower to his Derby County squad with the signing of Martyn Waghorn from Ipswich Town on an three-year deal.
The 28-year-old arrives at Pride Park Stadium after one of the most productive campaigns of his career.
At Portman Road last term, Waghorn scored 16 goals in the league as well as recording 11 assists, with no other player contributing to more goals throughout the Sky Bet Championship season.
Here, we take a look back at Waghorn’s time in the game so far…
Early Days On Wearside
Waghorn was born in South Shields area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne but he went on to join Sunderland at the age of eight.
He gained recognition with his progress at the Academy of Light and the forward first joined up with the first team during the 2007/08 campaign, when Roy Keane was in charge at the club.
The former Manchester United captain praised the young Waghorn after he made his debut against the Red Devils, although ultimately, he couldn’t break through to became a regular at the Stadium of Light.
Two loan deals followed, first with Charlton Athletic and then Leicester City, where he scored 12 goals during the 2009/10 season, and the club were suitably impressed.
King Power Switch
Waghorn struggled to recreate his form with Leicester after his move was made permanent and he scored just four goals in his first season with the club.
More loan deals followed, with spells at Hull City, Millwall and Wigan Athletic, with the latter signing Waghorn from the Foxes in April 2014.
At the DW Stadium, Waghorn spent two seasons alongside Derby’s No.1 Scott Carson, but neither could prevent Wigan from dropping into Sky Bet League One.
North Of The Border
Whilst Carson left for Pride Park, Waghorn was snapped up by Scottish giants Rangers, who were then playing in the second tier.
The forward hit the ground running at Ibrox, with 13 goals in his first nine games in all competitions as Rangers fought their way back into the Scottish Premiership.
Waghorn ended the season with 28 goals in all competitions, all despite an injury that kept him out for two months.
16 goals followed in the 2016/17 campaign, and that was enough to persuade Ipswich Town to bring the striker back to English football.
Topping The Charts
Any suggestion that Waghorn’s prolific season in Scotland was a one-off was soon silenced, with Waghorn the only player to register 10+ goals and 10+ assists in the Championship last term.
Combined, Waghorn was directly involved in 27 league goals during his sole season at Portman Road; more than any other player, with Bobby Reid the closest challenged on 26.
The 28-year-old displayed his set-piece prowess throughout the campaign, with two of his assists coming against the Rams.
Waghorn set up the winner for Callum Connolly at Pride Park before laying on Joe Garner’s header past Carson at Portman Road in December, with both assists coming from superb corner deliveries.
