This is what seven ex-Derby County players are doing a year after leaving club

A year on from a summer of upheaval at the club, DerbyWorld takes a look at the fortunes of some former Derby County players since moving away from Pride Park.  

Lee Buchanan 

The 22-year-old fullback left Derby in controversial circumstances last summer when he used a legal loophole to get out of a contract extension activated by the club and joined Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on a free transfer.

However, with the Rams prepared to take the case to FIFA to receive compensation, the German side paid a six-figure compensation fee for Buchanan. 

Since joining Werder Bremen, the former Derby player has made 21 appearances, helping his side finish 13th in the Bundesliga.

A highlight for Buchanan this season surely would've been scoring away against Borussia Dortmund in the 89th minute.

The goal started a remarkable comeback against the Bundesliga giants, with Werder netting twice more in added time.

Ex-Nottingham Forest player Oliver Burke scored the winner in the 95th minute. 

Despite three years remaining on his contract, Buchanan has been linked with a move back to the midlands this summer with Coventry City reportedly keeping tabs on the former England youth player. 

Festy Ebosele

One of 14 Derby County players who made their debut in the FA Cup tie against Chorley in 2021, Ebosele was a regular name in the team sheet last season making 38 appearances for the Rams.

In March last year it was confirmed that the right-back would join Serie A side Udinese on a five-year-deal at the end of his contract at Derby. 

The 20-year-old this season has made 17 appearances for Udinese at right wing-back, getting one assist for the Italian side against relegated Sampdoria.

Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Ebosele reflected on how his time in Italy has improved him as a footballer. 

He said: “They say if you play in Italy, you can play everywhere, so I think obviously I’m a lot more mature now.”

Tom Lawrence 

In July at the end of his contract Derby’s club captain moved to Rangers on a free transfer where he hit the ground running in blistering form.

Lawrence scored three times and provided two assists in his first nine matches.

His contribution included a crucial goal against PSV Eindhoven which helped the Scottish side qualify for the Champions League Group Stage. 

However, the Welshman has spent the rest of the season on the sidelines with injury problems.

At the end of August he damaged his Achilles tendon and then in recovery suffered another setback and had to undergo knee surgery. 

Colin-Kazim-Richards 

The journeyman forward and fan-favourite at Pride Park joined Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük last summer, in what is the player’s 19th club.

The veteran striker has struggled for minutes in his latest move to Turkey and made 18 appearances this season, the majority from the bench. He scored once and assisted twice for the Turkish side. 

Alongside Kazim-Richards, there are two former Premier League forwards playing for Fatih Karagümrük, former Sunderland and Liverpool forward Fabio Borini as well as former West Brom forward Mbaye Diagne. 

The forward has continued to make a positive impact off the pitch and has raised nearly £20,000 for people affected by the earthquake earlier this year in Turkey and Syria.  

Kelle Roos 

The Dutch goalkeeper moved north to Aberdeen last July and has earned plenty of plaudits for his stellar performances.

Roos played 31 games in the Scottish Premier League this season, keeping clean sheets in 13 matches and saving two penalties. 

Despite conceding five on the final day of the season against Celtic, Aberdeen manager Barry Robson has been full of praise for the 31-year-old’s performances and said: “Kelle, in my opinion, is the best goalkeeper in the league. He is outstanding.”

Malcolm Ebiowei 

Ebiowei’s performances towards the end of last season earned him a move to Crystal Palace who had to beat off interest from Manchester United to sign the 19-year-old.

However, since moving to London the teenager has faced limited opportunities for first-team football and only has 31 minutes of game time to his name in the Premier League. 

In January, the winger was loaned out to Hull City where he was reunited with Liam Rosenior.

Ebiowei made 12 appearances for the Tigers and will be hoping that the experience will lead to more opportunities for first team football at Crystal Palace.  

Ravel Morrison 

The former Manchester United youth player made the trip across the pond to be reunited with ex- manager Wayne Rooney at D.C United.

The midfielder scored twice in 14 appearances for the MLS side but failed to be included in Rooney's squad for the 2023 season - however he can still train with the side until his contract expires. 

Rooney explained his decision to omit Ravel Morrison in a press conference and said: “I felt with players we were bringing in and different things you need to look at in terms of the budget, international slots, et cetera, it was more important I got different players in for different positions, which we felt were more important to me.”