Derby County sign former Leeds United, Rangers star Kemar Roofe on free transfer

Derby County have moved to strengthen their squad with the signing of versatile attacker Kemar Roofe.

Earlier this month, the Rams moved to replace head coach Paul Warne with John Eustace, who left promotion-chasing Blackburn Rovers to take the reins at Pride Park.

Having opened up with a 4-0 defeat away at Queens Park Rangers, Eustace is under pressure to ease Derby's relegation concerns in the Championship.

The first step taken by the Englishman is to hand a short-term contract to former Leeds United and Rangers star Roofe.

🐏 pic.twitter.com/H2QzadYeBw

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 20, 2025

A major coup

Although the Jamaica international has been without a club since July, he brings considerable experience at high-profile clubs to this Derby squad.

Roofe contributed 33 goals and 14 assists from 122 appearances for Leeds between 2016 and 2019 when the Yorkshire giants were competing in the Championship.

Between 2020 and 2024, Roofe was part of the Rangers first-team squad, winning three pieces of silverware and featuring in a team that finished as runners-up in the 2021-22 Europa League.

While his best performances came during his first two years at Ibrox, he still managed 38 goals and seven assists from his 102 outings in all competitions.

Now the age of 32, Roofe is bidding to kick-start his career in the East Midlands, moving back closer to home having been born in Walsall and featured for West Bromwich Albion's academy ranks.

"A major influence on making my decision to come here." 🙌

The first interview with Kemar Roofe as a Derby County player! 🗣️

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 20, 2025

Derby need Roofe to make immediate impact

Having accumulated just 706 minutes of football during 2023-24 and without a competitive appearance since the back end of that campaign, Roofe may need time to get up to speed.

That said, this is a Derby side that sit in 22nd position in the Championship table and have not won a game since Boxing Day.

Only Jerry Yates, with seven goals, has scored more than four times in the second tier this season, while only Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has four assists.

Therefore, those numbers emphasises why Derby require more quality in the final third, something that Roofe could provide if he stays fit.