Sam Szmodics Returns to Derby County on Loan from Ipswich Town

Derby County has announced the re-signing of forward Sam Szmodics on a season-long loan from Ipswich Town. This move marks Szmodics' return to Pride Park after a previous loan spell with the Rams last season.

The 30-year-old forward's loan agreement includes an obligation for Derby to purchase him at the end of the 2026-27 season, contingent on his appearances, with the transfer fee estimated at around £2.7 million. Last season, Szmodics made 13 appearances for Derby, scoring three goals, as the team narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs.

Previously, Szmodics had a successful stint under Derby's current manager John Eustace, where he was the leading scorer in the second tier with 27 goals during the 2023-24 season while at Blackburn Rovers. He joined Ipswich for £9 million in the summer of 2024 but struggled in the Premier League, scoring only four goals before returning to Derby.