Derby County ‘interested’ in free transfer after Coventry City decision

Derby County are reportedly interested in signing Fankaty Dabo on a free transfer following his release by Coventry City.

The 27-year-old full-back helped the Sky Blues to the brink of reaching the Premier League in 2022-23. However, he was the unfortunate player to miss the decisive spot kick in the Championship play-off final penalty shoot-out at Wembley as Luton Town took the final promotion spot last month.

Dabo’s time at Coventry is now coming to an end after it was confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract this summer. He is one of six senior players being released, along with former Derby striker Martyn Waghorn, Todd Kane, Tyler Walker, Michael Rose and Sean Maguire.

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Our colleagues at CoventryLive report that the Sky Blues had an option to extend Dabo’s deal by a further 12 months but ultimately opted not to trigger that clause. As such, he will be available as a free agent at the end of this month.

According to The Sun, Dabo is “attracting interest” from the Rams. However, they are said to be facing competition from League One rivals Bolton Wanderers, who are tipped to make an “ambitious move” for the player.

Dabo started out his career at Chelsea and had loans spells with Swindon Town, Vitesse and Sparta Rotterdam before joining Coventry in 2019. He went on to make a total of 131 appearances for the Sky Blues.

CoventryLive reporter Andy Turner says Dabo has been a “popular figure with fans at the CBS Arena, particularly in his first season with the club when he caught the eye with some dazzling displays on the right flank and was a key player in City’s exciting, attacking style that got them promoted as League One champions in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign.”

He continued: “Although the former Chelsea prospect managed just less than 30 league appearances in the following three Championship seasons – 28, 29 and 29 – he was still highly regarded by his manager who said earlier this season that there are few wing-backs better than him in the division. However, niggly injuries and form meant he often struggled to get a run of games going and, more latterly, Arsenal loan player Brooke Norton-Cuffy became first choice and Dabo more of an impact sub from the bench.

“But he was involved until the last, going on as a late substitute to help see out City’s play-off semi-final win at Middlesbrough before featuring in the final when he went on at the end of 90 minutes, performing during extra-time and, sadly, being the player to miss in the sudden death penalty shootout which resulted in Luton being promoted rather than Coventry.

“A move to either Derby or Bolton, both of whom have ambitions of gaining promotion to the second tier, would appear perfect for the player who has plenty of experience at both levels now.”

Do you think Dabo would be a good signing for the Rams? Let us know in the comments section.

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