Derby County announce key off-field change - Huddersfield Town will be watching | OneFootball

The Rams have announced a new update to their Talent ID staff several excellent transfer windows.

Derby County have announced two new changes to the club's Talent ID staff structure, following an extremely positive January transfer window, which has allowed the team to continue their push for a play-off finish in the Championship.

The Rams are three points off the play-off places after their 1-0 away victory over Portsmouth on Monday evening, and Wrexham's defeat to Watford the following night has allowed John Eustace's side to remain within one win of the Red Dragons, as Southampton made their win into sixth on goal difference on Wednesday.

The East Midlands outfit host Birmingham City at Pride Park on Saturday, and they will be looking to go level on points with the two sides above them, and this is a vital game in the race for the top six in the Championship, with the final international break of the campaign looming.

However, on Thursday morning, a fresh update about the situation off the pitch at Pride Park will have got fans talking, and Derby have made some permanent changes to their recruitment team.

Leigh Bromby handed permanent role at Derby County after successful interim period

Leigh Bromby was brought to the Rams in April 2025, after a difficult spell with Huddersfield Town was often more miss than hit. With the pressure of rebuilding the squad following last-day survival in the Championship, there was plenty of work to do in the summer.

The likes of Lewis Travis, Patrick Agyemang and Max Johnston all made their way to DE24 on multi-million pound deals, while Carlton Morris was an incredibly savvy option for a relatively low fee. Now, Derby have announced that Bromby will take on the role of Talent Acquisition Lead.

This is a step up from his position as Interim Recruitment Lead, while Ben Jones has been appointed as Talent Identification Lead.

He has joined the club from the FA, and will be tasked with working with Bromby in finding players for not only the first team, but also at academy level. He has also held a similar role at Chelsea in the past, while he has also been involved with England & Wales Cricket Board as a Performance Pathway Scientist.

Leigh Bromby will be working incredibly closely with John Eustace

This is a new role at Derby, and they have made significant changes to their sporting intelligence department in the last couple of years, with the likes of Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion proving how successful a club can be by utilising this side of the game.

Bromby will be working alongside head coach John Eustace in the final stages of bringing a new player to the Rams, and he will be tasked with identifying players who fit in with the team's model and structure. However, this is not where his job ends.

The former Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday defender will also be involved in negotiating transfers, with a key focus of due diligence. Bromby will also be tasked with helping the performance and coaching team with developing academy players who are transitioning into the first team, as well as those already there.

Derby are making huge strides in becoming a club that has power off the pitch, as well as on it, and the 45-year-old is playing a huge role in that.