Jackson
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Kayden Jackson became Derby County’s latest signing ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship season in early July 2024.
Jackson penned a two-year deal with Derby, which will run until the summer of 2026, after spending the previous six seasons with Ipswich Town.
The versatile forward linked up with the Rams after earning back-to-back promotions with the Tractor Boys, from League One to the Premier League, under Kieran McKenna.
Jackson’s footballing journey saw him play at youth level for Guiseley AFC and Bradford City before getting his first taste of senior football in Northern Counties East League Division One with Albion Sports.
He earned a move to Swindon Town, then in League One, in the 2013/14 season. After spells out on loan at Swindon Supermarine and Oxford City, he left the Robins at the end of the campaign without making a first-team appearance at the County Ground.
His next stop was National League North side Tamworth for 2014/15 and Jackson finished as their joint-leading goalscorer with eight goals in 36 outings ahead of spending the 2015/16 season with Wrexham, where he again featured regularly.
His form at the Racecourse Ground saw him step up to the Championship with Barnsley in the summer of 2016, with the Reds paying an undisclosed fee for his services. He didn’t make a senior appearance at Oakwell, however, and spent time on loan at Grimsby Town in League Two to gain more experience.
Jackson remained in League Two for the 2017/18 season by joining Accrington Stanley on a permanent basis and his 16 goals in 44 league appearances helped them to the League Two title and promotion to the third tier. He also added 15 assists along the way in an impressive personal campaign.
His excellent form saw him attract interest from various clubs and then-Championship side Ipswich Town made their move for the forward early in 2018/19.
Jackson would go on to enjoy six seasons at Portman Road, during which time he played 199 times and netted 28.
He was a key figure in Ipswich’s promotion from League One in the 2022/23 campaign, as well as featuring regularly in the Championship in 2023/24 - chipping in with three goals and five assists - as the Tractor Boys were promoted to the top-flight.
Jackson arrived at Derby closing in on 400 appearances in senior football and with 78 goals to his name.
