The Rams have been in the market for a goalkeeper since Joe Wildsmith made a shock departure from Pride Park at the end of last season.
Derby saw a £1.4 million bid for Djurgardens gloveman Jacob Widell Zetterstrom get accepted, although sporting director Bosse Andersson confirmed he won’t join the club till his involvement in the Europa Conference League qualifiers draws to a close.
That left Paul Warne in a precarious position as his only senior goalkeeper heading into the 2024/25 Championship was Josh Vickers, who played understudy to Wildsmith in League One.
Luckily, the Rams have addressed this situation by capturing Rohan Luthra on a free transfer following a successful trial.
Luthra was released by Cardiff City at the end of last season and joined Derby on a trial this summer, where he turned out in their victory against Stockport County and defeat to Chesterfield.
The 22-year-old joined up with the first-team squad for their warm-weather training camp and manager Warne was left impressed by the youngster, dubbing him ‘brilliant’.
Last month, Warne did confirm that Luthra would be snapped up as a third-choice goalkeeper, with the club since relaying that information in their unveiling of the keeper.
Joining on a one-year contract, the statement on the club website read: “The goalkeeper has joined in a role previously occupied by Scott Loach, who retired in the summer at the end of his contract and has now taken up a coaching position in the club’s Academy set-up.”
Luthra made history for the Bluebirds in March 2023, as he became the first player from Britain’s South Asian community to turn out in the Championship, coming off the bench in the dying embers against Preston.
Derby’s goalkeeping options were decimated this summer after Wildsmith and Scott Loach were released at the end of their contracts.
Loach has since remained at the club and occupies a coaching position within the club’s academy, whereas Wildsmith has joined Championship rivals West Brom.
With the signing of Luthra as third-choice and a deal for Zetterstrom edging closer, Warne’s goalkeeping options are beginning to take shape.
Although some won’t be pleased that Vickers will start the trip to Blackburn Rovers on Friday night, the 28-year-old is a capable pair of hands till Zetterstrom or another long-term number one arrives.
Indeed, the signing of a quality first-choice shot-stopper could hold the key to their survival hopes, as it’s clear that Vickers is better used a backup option.
