Craig Forsyth

Craig Forsyth is Derby County’s longest-serving player having spent over a decade in Derbyshire.

The defender has been on Derby’s books since early 2013 and offers versatility in defence, with the left-footed defender able to perform either at left-back or at centre-back.

He offers height and strength in either position, while he has proved to be a key attacking outlet when performing at left-back with his desire to push forward into the opposition’s half.

Forsyth became a permanent member of the Derby squad in the summer of 2013 after impressing during a loan spell from Watford towards the end of the 2012/13 campaign under Nigel Clough.

He joined Derby after an undisclosed fee was agreed for his services and he went on to be one of the Rams’ most consistent performers as they reached the Play-Off Final at the end of the 2013/14 season.

Forsyth has, unfortunately, suffered three serious knee injuries during his time at the club which has kept him out of action for some time, but he has remained a key figure in-and-around the dressing room.

When he has been available for selection, he has remained a valuable member of the Rams’ squad and has established himself as a regular under several managers.

The former Dundee, Montrose and Arbroath player - who also had a loan stint at Bradford City in 2012 whilst at Watford – passed the 200 appearances mark for Derby towards the end of the 2019/20 season.

He made 21 appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, and a further 29 the following season as Derby suffered relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1986.

Forsyth did enjoy a productive season on the pitch and scored three goals, his best return in a single season for the club.

The Scot was deployed more as a centre-back throughout his tenth year at the club and was also given the armband for spells of the Sky Bet League One campaign.

He made 52 appearances for the Rams in all competitions, a number which also saw him surpass 300 career appearances for the club.

Following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, Forsyth signed a one-year extension with the Rams to earn himself a Testimonial for his services.

In what was his tenth full season as a permanent Ram, the defender once again proved ever-reliable in 2023/24.

He featured 32 times in all competitions and was a regular starter right through until January when he suffered an unfortunate calf injury.

Despite only featuring twice after early January, Forsyth's early season form and appearances had done enough to activate a performance-based clause in his contract to extend his stay with the club by an additional year.

The defender also been capped by Scotland at international level on four occasions went on to win his first cap against Nigeria at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in May 2014.