Derby County secure Joe Ward and Josh Vickers on three-year deals

Derby County is preparing for the 2023/24 season by bringing two new players into the fold - Joe Ward, from Peterborough United, and Josh Vickers, from Rotherham United.

Joe Ward, 27, known for his versatile roles on the field, spent five and a half years with Peterborough.

He was part of their promotion to the Championship in the 2020/21 campaign and was recognized in the League One Team of the Season.

Ward's football journey began in the non-league tier with Chelmsford City. His talent attracted higher league clubs, leading to trials with Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, and he signed with Brighton as a Development Squad player in 2015.

He further honed his skills in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, coupled with a loan spell at Lincoln City. After leaving Brighton in 2017, he played a season for National League side Woking before joining Peterborough in 2018.

"I'm excited to start a new chapter of my career with Derby County," Ward said. "It's an honour to join a club with such a rich history and I'm eager to contribute to the team's success in the upcoming season."

Joining Ward at Derby County is 27-year-old goalkeeper Josh Vickers, who has agreed to a three-year deal once his contract with Rotherham United concludes this month.

A promotion winner twice in his career, Vickers will compete for a place alongside last season’s regular number one, Joe Wildsmith.

Vickers started his football career at Arsenal, progressing through their youth system. After loan spells with Canvey Island and Concord Rangers, he permanently moved to Swansea City in 2015.

Although he didn't see first-team action there, he played regularly for their U21 side. He later joined Lincoln City in 2017, where he was part of their League Two title win in the 2018/19 season.

He moved to Rotherham United in 2020 and contributed to their 2021/22 promotion from League One.

Vickers expressed enthusiasm about his move to Derby County. "Joining Derby is a great step forward in my career. I'm looking forward to working under Andy Warrington again and bringing my best to the team," Vickers stated.