3/1 To Win
Derby County’s Under-21s squad will have a fresh look to it for the 2023/24 campaign.
After a raft of departures at the end of last season the Rams’ squad is set to have a number of new faces.
Central defender Ryan Bartley has joined the Under-21s after leaving Crystal Palace. He featured for the Eagles at Under-18 level and also gained experience out on loan at National League South side Eastbourne Borough in the 2022/23 season.
Midfielder Ben Radcliffe has also arrived from Burton Albion. Radcliffe came through the youth ranks with the Brewers and spent time on loan at non-league side Mickleover FC to gain experience in the 2021/22 season. He continued his education at Banbury United of National League North in 2022/23 and made his senior bow for Burton off the bench in League One at the end of the campaign.
Stepping up from the Under-18s to the Under-21s squad are four players after coming to the end of their scholarships.
Defenders Riley Moloney and Callum Moore have penned professional terms after spending the last two years with the Under-18s.
Moloney is an attacking full-back while Moore, who can play at full-back or further forward on the wing, after being with the club since joining as an Under-10s player.
Midfielder Adebayo Fapetu and attacker Carlos Richards have also put pen-to-paper at the end of their scholarships.
Fapetu joined the Academy ranks ahead of the 2021/22 season and scored the Under-18s final goal of last term in a 3-0 home win over Middlesbrough, while Richards has been with the Rams since joining from Chelsea in 2021.
In addition, midfielder Jack Bates has signed a new contract after getting regular game time for the Under-21s in the 2022/23 season.
Prior to joining Derby he had a spell with non-league side Hastings United having previously been on the books of Brighton & Hove Albion.
