Anang: “I’m Too Excited”

Goalkeeper Joseph Anang says he is delighted to join Derby County after signing on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side West Ham United on Sunday.

The 22-year-old cut short a loan spell with League of Ireland Premier Division side St Patrick’s Athletic, where he impressed after making 30 appearances, to link up with the Rams.

The shot-stopper was a consistent performer and shone in their Europa Conference League penalty shoot-out victory over Slovenian side NS Mura last month, saving the winning spot-kick to advance through to the next stage of the competition.

He has linked up with the Rams’ first-team goalkeeping department consisting of Joe Wildsmith and Scott Loach, headed up by Head Goalkeeping Coach Jason Pearcey.

The goalkeeper spoke to RamsTV following his signing and discussed the move, his time at St Patrick’s and his first impressions of Derby County as a club.

On Joining Derby County…

I’m too excited. For the past month I knew I was coming here so, in my head, I wanted to be here. Derby County, we all know how big this club is, so I’m just too excited to get started.

On How The Move Came About…

If I can remember, it was on 12th July and I got a phone call from one of my goalkeeping coaches. He said that he had spoken to Jason Pearcey and he was asking about me. I was in shock because I spoke to my agent and I asked if I had interest and there was nothing. Then two weeks later, Derby County came out of nowhere so I thought it was interesting and wanted to come.

On Why He Think It’s The Right Move…

The style of play is very attractive and as a goalkeeper I’ve got to challenge myself to be the best I can be.

On His Time At St Patrick’s…

I got more experience and more confidence there. The stands there are very small, but it’s tight and everything that the fans say, you can hear it. It was a good experience. I needed the games at that stage of my career. As a goalkeeper, you have to get match minutes and experience, so playing games there was good for me.

I just have to say a huge thank you to everyone at St Patrick’s; the coaching staff, the players and the fans. They have all been good to me over the last six or seven months so I just want to say thank you to them.

On His Impressions Of Derby…

I was at the game on Saturday and the quality and the fans was a joke! The style of play is a different level and it made me more excited to be part of this even more. I can’t wait to get out there.

I just have to say that the Derby fans are the best in the league. They are loud, the numbers are crazy and it’s great to have them with us.