Tom Ince has completed a permanent transfer to Derby County, having impressed at the iPro Stadium during the second half of last season.
Ince joined Hull City in July 2014, but he struggled to impose himself in the first team at the KC Stadium and made just seven Premier League appearances last term. This spell was interrupted by two loan stints, the first at Nottingham Forest for whom he made six outings, and the second at Derby when he scored 11 goals in 18 matches to remind the footballing world of his talent.
Although Steve McClaren has since left the club, the Rams have maintained their interest in signing the winger on a permanent basis. And it has now been confirmed that the former England Under-21 international has signed a four-year contract at the Championship club, who have agreed an undisclosed fee with Hull to make him their sixth signing of the summer.
“I’m delighted that we have been able sign Tom Ince on a permanent basis,” Derby head coach Paul Clement told the club’s official website. “I’m aware of the positive impact he had on the side during his time on loan last season. He is an exciting talent, and he’s another very positive addition to the squad. I feel that we’re in a good place with how the squad is looking right now.”
As well as Ince, Derby have completed a permanent signing for Darren Bent who also impressed on loan last season, scoring 10 goals in 15 league appearances. And Clement has also signed Alex Pearce, Scott Carson, Chris Baird and Andreas Weimann, as he looks to return the club to the Premier League for the first time since 2007-08 when they finished bottom of the table.
