"My head was spinning": Eiran Cashin opens up on his 'nearly' move to Premier League Brighton

If you cast the mind back to transfer deadline day at the end of August, it was a pivotal time in Eiran Cashin's young career.

The 22 year-old star found himself in limbo after a fee was agreed between Derby County and Premier League Brighton for the defender to make a big career move.

Cashin has been a big part of Derby's squad since he broke through the academy back in 2021 and is arguably one of the most exciting centre back prospects in the EFL.

Brighton had been pursuing the defender for the majority of the summer, but he found himself waiting to find out whether he'd travel down south, or back to Derby at the very last minute.

Speaking to Derbyshire Live, Cashin describes his conflicted feelings that day. He said: "Looking back at the emotions and all the things going on, you realise that you have no control over any of it. My head was spinning.

"The move was on, then it was off. In the end, the fee got sorted but it was just too late to organise a medical."

The move would have been a real gamechanger for Cashin, joining a Brighton side that have found success signing young talents like Cashin and then developing them into Premier League stars.

A step up from League One to the Premier League was clearly an attractive move for the Irishman, however, his feelings for Derby County are clearly strong.

The day after deadline day, the Rams faced an away trip to Bolton, so after the deal fell through, Cashin made the trip to join the team late.

He continued: "The gaffer was so supportive and when it didn't happen he just said to get up to Bolton and that we'd get through it. When I got back to the team hotel, which was about two o'clock in the morning, you always hear about these stories on deadline day. I'd never actually experienced what it's like until then and it was crazy.

"The next day, the gaffer pulled me before the Bolton game and he was gutted because it was a life-changing opportunity. But he just said now that it was done I just had to get my head down. I couldn't have agreed more."

Cashin's future was secured in January when the 22 year-old signed a new contract at Derby keeping him at Pride Park until 2027.

He has been influential this season in putting the Rams in a position to fight for promotion to the Championship. Something that he's grateful to get the chance to do.

He added: "There was a lot of talk and outside noise, but as soon as Derby made it clear about their ambitions, what they want for the club and me as well, it was a no-brainer to sign.

"I think it's probably worked out best because I like being at Derby and with us not being promoted last season I felt like I owed the club that."

Cashin will be hoping he can help get the Rams back to the Championship and maybe even beyond in future years.

No doubting that he will get an opportunity in the Premier League, whether it be at Derby or somewhere else. But for now, he will be focussed on the last 10 games and earning promotion.