Rams snap up Toffees youngster on loan

The Rams have added some much needed fire power to their strike force with the signing of Everton striker James Vaughan on a three month loan deal. Nigel Clough has beaten off strong competition from a number of their Championship rivals for the 21-year-old Everton striker, who has put pen-to-paper on a loan deal until the start of January 2010, and he is eligible to make his debut in Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship match at Crystal Palace.

The England under 21 International - who has also represented England at U17 and U19 level - progressed through the youth system at Goodison Park and signed professional terms in 2005.

With Rams attacking midfielder Steven Davies currently sidelined with a leg injury and Chris Porter ruled out until December, Clough has had limited options to choose from in attack so far this term, and he believes the addition of Vaughan provides an extra dimension to the Rams' frontline.

'This is a terrific bit of business for us; James is a good player with an excellent attitude and tons of ability,' Clough told dcfc.co.uk.

'He is also different to anything else we have at the football club at this moment, so will add some variety to our attack.

'He is strong, quick and brave and knows how to look after himself on the pitch.

'We are grateful to David Moyes, Bill Kenwright and Everton for allowing him to come here; I think they know we do things properly and will take good care of him.

'There were a number of other club's in our division interested in James, so it is a big boost for us and Derby County in general that he has decided to come here.'

Vaughan, who scored on his Everton debut against Crystal Palace in 2005, which made him Everton's youngest-ever scorer at 16 years and 400 days, also holds the record for being the Premier League's youngest goalscorer, and he has made 49 appearances for the Toffees.

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