Rams Capture Coutts

Derby County have completed the signing of midfielder Paul Coutts from Preston North End for an undisclosed fee with the fee thought to be around the £150,000 mark.

The former Scotland Under-21 international has previously had spells with Cove Rangers and Peterborough United before Darren Ferguson took the midfielder to Deepdale during his spell in charge in 2010. He made 86 appearances for the Lancashire club, being made captain for a spell last season, before new manger Graham Westley took the armband from him and dropped him from the side citing the players attitude as the reason for the move although he returned towards the end of the campaign. Having been told he was surplus to requirements this season Nigel Clough wasted no time in making a move for the player who can play on either the right or centre of midfield. Talking to dcfc.co.uk about the deal Clough said:

'We are delighted to secure the services of Paul and bring him to Pride Park, as he is someone who has been on our radar for some time. He is only 23, so he is still young, but he knows the division well from his time at both Peterborough and Preston - where he has always done well against us - and we're all really looking forward to working with him."

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