3/1 To Win
Craig Forsyth has described himself as ‘delighted’ to extend his long-running association with Derby County.
The 33-year-old defender has penned a new one-year which will see him surpass ten years with the club in 2023.
Forsyth initially joined Derby on loan from Watford in March 2013, before penning a permanent deal a few months later after a fee was agreed with the Hornets.
The left-back has since racked up 256 appearances for the Rams since his arrival, scoring seven times, and after putting pen-to-paper in the lead-up to Saturday’s Sky Bet League One opener against Oxford United at Pride Park Stadium (3pm kick-off) he’s raring to go once again.
Forsyth caught up with RamsTV to discuss finally signing on the dotted line, just why he wanted to stay and his determination to make his tenth year with the club a successful one.
On Getting The Deal Done…
It is great to get the deal done. It has been going on for a little while, these things take time, but it’s pleasing to have it sorted before the start of the season. I don’t think there was a point where I thought it wouldn’t happen, but with any contract negotiation there’s always a back of back and forth between both parties. There were conversations, which were open and healthy. We got there in the end I am happy to be here.
On Why He Wanted To Stay…
I think everyone knows why I wanted to stay here; I’ve loved it here since day one. My family are settled in the area and at this stage of my career it would have been a big thing to up sticks with the family and move. I’m delighted to stay here and hopefully we can have a good year on the pitch. It has been a long time since I signed in 2013 from Watford and I think I’ve developed and changed as player in that time. I’ve had the best part of my career here at Derby and I want to add to the years I missed out on through injury.
On What Stands Out From His Time At Derby…
For me personally there have been a few low points, as everyone knows, and they’re well documented injury-wise. There have been some good times too and plenty of those. After last year, and the way it finished with relegation and things like that, I wanted to stay. With the new owner in place, I hope we can get back up at the first attempt and make it a good season.
His Views On The Takeover Being Sorted…
This summer was obviously difficult for everyone and the uncertainty of not knowing if there was going to be a club or not. Living in the area, I’ve got a lot of friends who are Derby fans and they were asking me what was happening - and I didn’t have the answers. We didn’t know any more as players than what was being said in the media and on social media. It was frustrating, but the main thing is the takeover has been sorted.
On His Role Moving Forward…
I think my role will be like the last few years really. I’ll be competing with Haydon Roberts for the left-back spot and I will also try to help him as a young player. I realise at this stage in my career I know I have a duty to help the younger lads and offer some advice.
On Having A Special Association With Derby…
During the summer I was thinking about the connection I have with the club and how disappointed I would have been to move on at this time, especially with the relegation and last season’s circumstances. There are not many players that stay at a club for ten years, but I want to make the tenth year a worthwhile one. I don’t just want to sit on the sidelines when I feel I can contribute, which I believe I can do this year.
