Eiran Cashin sends message to Curtis Davies as Derby County deal is confirmed | OneFootball

The Irish defender has returned to Pride Park on a season-long loan

Derby County's returning centre-back Eiran Cashin has issued a message to former Rams favourite, Curtis Davies, who helped ensure his loan switch to Pride Park from Brighton and Hove Albion.

It has been an extremely mixed start to this season for the Rams, having completed nine acquisitions in the summer window despite seeing a high-profile takeover from Saudi Arabian boxing tycoon, Turki Alalshikh, fall flat.

Derby were also winless in their first three Championship games, but their first victory of the season at Portsmouth, coupled with three signings, made it a rather satisfactory Deadline Day for John Eustace and the club's supporters.

Cashin, of course, is no stranger to the East Midlands side, having risen through the academy ranks in DE24 during a testing period for the club from a financial perspective, before eventually going on to earn his maiden transfer to the Premier League with Brighton.

However, his time at the AMEX Stadium hasn't exactly been the smoothest, and he has now returned to the second tier for a third loan spell in the space of 12 months.

And, after the deal was confirmed, the aforementioned Davies issued his thoughts on the deal being completed in the window's final hours.

Eiran Cashin responds to Curtis Davies message as Derby County, Brighton loan switch confirmed

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As well as being a regular fixture on television screens through his punditry work, Davies now works as an agent for Unique Sports Group, representing players such as Cashin.

During the 24-year-old's last spell with the Rams, the Mansfield native made 144 appearances in the Championship and League One, scoring six times before joining Brighton for £9m in January 2025 on a five-and-a-half year contract, but he has since made just two appearances for the Seagulls whilst being loaned out to Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

Reflecting on his client and former defensive partner's return to Derby, Davies said via Instagram: My people requested.…I delivered!

"Buzzing for @eirancashin to rejoin our club on a season-long loan 🖤🤍," he added.

Thanks to everyone at @officialbhafc and @dcfcofficial for making this happen and thanks to my @uniquesg.uk team for all their help in the background ❤️

"Can’t wait to see him back out there in the Black and White 🐏 #DCFC," said Davies.

Cashin was then seen among the replies, issuing the response of: "Thanks for the top work mate💪🏼❤️"

How Derby County fans feel about Eiran Cashin's return

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Given his prior affiliation to the club and recent pedigree at Championship level, many Derby fans are unsurprisingly pleased with this loan agreement, as well as further Deadline Day deals involving another former loan star, David Ozoh, and long-time target, Mohammed Fuseini.

"Good to have some of the clubs heart back," said one Rams supporter after Cashin's return was confirmed.

"Bring in Clarke to replace Cashin, bring in Cashin to replace Clarke. Brilliant news!," was another verdict, in reference to Matt Clarke's recent injury misfortune, which led to Eustace requiring further defensive depth.

"Fantastic news about time he came back," wrote another ecstatic Derby fan.

"Fair play lads, least he came to us before coming back to you lot so it’s another Blackburn player ;)," was one of many tongue-in-cheek comments from Rovers fans due to the sheer volume of recent connections between the two Championship sides.

Derby County will hope Eiran Cashin hits the ground running on his return

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During their 2-0 success at Fratton Park, the vastly experienced Craig Forsyth partnered Dion Sanderson at the heart of defence, whilst there was next-to-no centre-back cover on Eustace's bench, which further showcases how pivotal a reunion with Cashin was for the 46-year-old.

After a season of mixed fortunes on an individual basis last season, the Irish youth international will hope to hit the ground running immediately at a club which still clearly means a lot to him, as Derby look to use their midweek success as a catalyst for momentum after a slow start to the campaign.