Derby County’s Under-21s squad has been bolstered with the signing of three fresh faces ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The Rams, who will be led by new Lead Under-21 Coach Jake Buxton this season in Premier League 2, added defender Ryan Bartley and midfielder Ben Ratcliffe to the squad last month while defenders Riley Moloney and Callum Moore, midfielder Adebayo Fapetu and winger Carlos Richards recently signed their first professional deals. In addition, experienced former Rams midfielder Bradley Johnson has returned to the club as a Player-Coach for the Under-21s.
Following successful trial spells, a trio of new faces have committed themselves to the Rams.
Northern Ireland youth international Charlie Lindsay has linked up with the Under-21s after recently leaving Scottish Premiership side Rangers. The forward was a regular for Rangers’ B Team in the Lowland League last season and was previously on the books of Glentoran before making the move to Ibrox in 2020.
Another player previously with Rangers that has joined the Under-21s is attacker Tony Weston. The 19-year-old began his career in the youth ranks of Blackpool before moving to Rangers in 2020. After making his senior bow for the Ibrox club in 2022, he had loan spells at Partick Thistle and Cove Rangers in the 2022/23 season.
Goalkeeper Lewis Ridd is another addition to the ranks to compete for a place between the posts. The 19-year-old has recently left Ipswich Town and the Welshman has had loan spells at Sudbury, Bury Town and Brightlingsea in non-league football to gain match experience.
