Former West Brom star completes shock sudden transfer to Championship rivals

Former West Bromwich Albion left-back Erik Pieters has signed for Championship relegation battlers Derby County on a short-term deal.

Pieters has been a free agent since leaving Luton Town in January, where he failed not to make a single appearance as an emergency backup. The 18-time former Netherlands international was without a club for six months following his West Brom departure last June and went on to join Luton on a one-month deal from December to January, making the bench three times but never featuring.

Derby have decided to give Pieters what could potentially be a final run-out at this level - or perhaps in professional football altogether - as they seek to address an issue with squad depth. The 36-year-old has been training with the Rams for several weeks and manager John Eustace has decided to clinch his services on a temporary basis.

Erik Pieters reacts to Derby transfer

Pieters is delighted to have completed his move to Pride Park following a brief spell training with Middlesbrough at the other end of the Championship standings. After things didn’t quite work out with Michael Carrick, Pieters was grateful to earn another opportunity from Eustace.

Having made over 550 club career appearances, including 304 in English football and 61 for West Brom, Pieters is a veteran of the game. The defender, who can play as a full-back or centre-back, hopes he can boost Derby’s survival chances with the Rams currently just one point adrift from safety following three successive wins.

“I think I can help the team out with my experience. Behind the scenes, I will be helping everyone through these eight games. It was really important to stay in the league,” Pieters told Rams TV.

“Everyone knows that if you have wins on the board, it helps the momentum going. It's just a shame that there’s a break in between matches recently, an international break. But the lads are looking good, and everyone is ready for the final eight games.

“I'm in that transition period in my career, but I have still felt ready to play. I was in contact with John Eustace earlier in the season when he was at Blackburn Rovers. Then, out of the blue, he just messaged me when he was at Derby and it’s been really good for me.

“I've been to other places this season, I was with Luton in pre-season and in December and January. Before I came here, I had also trained with Middlesbrough. Then the gaffer sent me a message saying, ‘What's your situation?’. I was still a free agent, and I'm ready to go. I have trained with the lads - and the gaffer was pleased with it.

“It's a great group. It’s been good fun, and the group is all really determined in what they do. I'm looking forward to being part of that and helping Derby to stay in the league.”

In other news, Tony Mowbray has confirmed an injury nightmare ahead of West Brom’s Championship clash away at Norwich City.