Korey Smith has today become the latest addition to Derby County’s new-look squad.
Versatile performer Smith, 31, has joined the Rams as a free agent after recently leaving Championship side Swansea City.
Smith, as well as having a vast amount of experience across the EFL with almost 450 matches to his name and three promotions, can play at full-back as well as in midfield.
After successfully completing a medical examination, Smith has penned a two-year deal at Pride Park Stadium until the summer of 2024.
Smith is the eleventh new addition to Derby’s squad inside the last two weeks, following the arrivals of Joe Wildsmith, Tom Barkhuizen, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, James Chester, Conor Hourihane, David McGoldrick, Haydon Roberts, James Collins, Scott Loach and Kwaku Oduroh.
Korey Smith In Profile
Smith’s playing career began at Norwich City and, after coming through their youth set-up, he penned professional terms.
His senior debut in the Canaries’ first team came towards the end of the 2008/09 campaign, but he made a big impact in the following season, making 40 appearances, as City won the League One title.
Smith was also a regular, with 30 appearances, as City won back-to-back promotions to the Premier League in the 2010/11 season.
As City stepped up to the top tier, Smith’s first-team opportunities became limited in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 campaigns and he had loan spells at Barnsley in the Championship and League One duo Yeovil Town and Oldham Athletic.
Smith joined Oldham permanently in the summer of 2013 and was installed as their captain, playing 51 times in all competitions.
He was on the move again a year later, this time joining Bristol City, and his debut campaign at Ashton Gate in 2014/15 saw him play an instrumental role in their League One title and EFL Trophy successes. His performances on the pitch also saw him rewarded with a place in the League One Team of the Season by his peers.
Smith went on to play 196 times for City over the course of six seasons, wearing the captain’s armband and becoming a fan favourite in the process, as they firmly established themselves back in the Championship, as well as reaching the Carabao Cup Semi-Finals in 2017/18, before leaving at the end of his contract in the summer of 2020.
His next port of call was Swansea City, where he penned a two-year deal. He went on to play 77 times across two seasons for the Swans and was a key member of the squad as City reached the 2021 Championship Play-Off Final.
Please note that this player registration is subject to EFL approval.
