Derby County worked late on transfer deadline day to sign defensive midfielder David Ozoh from Crystal Palace, and the sum has now been revealed.

The 21-year-old became the Rams’ seventh signing of the offseason, joining Bobby Clark, Alex Mowatt, and Charlie Taylor.

Ozoh has spent the last two seasons on loan at Pride Park, where he became a first-team regular last season, appearing in 33 league games as John Eustace’s side finished ninth.

The midfielder has now landed in the East Midlands on a permanent basis, with the transfer details released.

Details of David Ozoh’s transfer to Derby County were released.

It’s always a stressful deadline day, but yesterday felt especially frenzied as clubs up and down the football pyramid attempted to finalise last-minute deals.

Derby’s pursuit of Ozoh was disclosed in the early afternoon, but the club only announced his signing in the early hours of the morning.

The defensive midfielder came through Palace’s youth but only made 13 senior games for the club, the most of which came during the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Given that the 21-year-old spent two seasons on loan at Pride Park, it was always possible that he’d return to the East Midlands, and now he has the opportunity to further his career with the Rams.

According to BBC Derby Sport, Ozoh has signed a five-year deal worth roughly £4 million, making him the club’s second-highest recruit this summer after Clark.

David Ozoh strengthens Derby County’s powerful midfield.

Eustace’s side won at Portsmouth last night, their first victory of the season, to alleviate any early pressure.

Mowatt and Oscar Fraulo both played well in Derby’s midfield, with the Dane giving an assist, while Clark demonstrated why he is so highly regarded, setting up Sammie Szmodics.

Ozoh was a regular in Eustace’s first team last season, despite being in and out of the starting lineup at times and missing 11 consecutive league games due to a thigh injury.

However, he demonstrated his quality in possession, ranking in the top 4% of Championship defensive midfielders for completed passes and long balls, according to Fotmob.

David Ozoh’s 2025/26 Derby County Championship stats

Appearances

Goals

Successful passes (%)

89.7%

Accurate Long Balls (%)

72.5%

Tackles

Interceptions

Statistics provided by Fotmob.

While he may not immediately join Eustace’s team, he will play an important role in the Rams’ season and provide something different than what they now have.