Derby bring in Poland Under-21 international from Arsenal

Derby have signed Poland Under-21 international Krystian Bielik from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.

PA understands the sum paid for the versatile defensive player, including add-ons in the deal, could become a club record for the Rams – eclipsing the £8million spent on signing striker Matej Vydra from Watford in 2016.

Bielik, who impressed during a loan spell at Charlton in League One last season, has agreed a five-year contract and could make his debut at Huddersfield on Monday.

“We’re very happy. He is a young player at the age of 21 and it is a permanent deal which I think is a very good investment for the club,” Derby boss Phillip Cocu told the club website.

Charlton Athletic’s Krystian Bielik during the Sky Bet League One Play-off final at Wembley Stadium, London.

“I am very happy he has joined the team. He will get better and develop, but for his age he is a very good player.”

Bielik, who can play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, becomes the fourth new arrival at Derby this summer, following Graeme Shinnie, Kieran Dowell and Matt Clarke to Pride Park.

The Rams completed a season-long loan deal for Brighton centre-half Clarke earlier on Friday.

The 22-year-old joined Brighton from Portsmouth on a four-year deal earlier this summer for a reported fee of £3.5m, becoming Graham Potter’s first signing as Albion boss.

However, Potter sees the best way for him to continue his development is in the Championship with the Rams.

He too could be in contention to make his debut in Derby’s Championship opener at Huddersfield.

Ollie McAninch

Ollie McAninch is a former public and private sector economist turned digital media pioneer. After working in the media for over a decade, he helped develop The London Economic to promote independent investigative journalism. When he isn't contributing articles, Ollie spends the bulk of his time looking after animals, pressing apples and planting trees.