Terms of late Derby County & Ipswich Town agreement for Sammie Szmodics become clearer | OneFootball

An agreement has been sealed for Sammie Szmodics to join Derby County from Ipswich Town, with the terms now laid out.

Sammie Szmodics has sealed a reunion with John Eustace from their time at Blackburn Rovers together, with the attacking midfielder now joining Derby County from Ipswich Town.

Szmodics' best season of his career came just two years ago at Blackburn, with Eustace arriving in February and steering Blackburn to safety on the final day of the season.

The 30-year-old bagged 27 goals in the league in the process, which went some way to securing their survival and 19th in the league. Eustace relegated Birmingham City in the process. However, he soon left to join Derby County, and he has been there since.

In the process, Ipswich were promoted for the second season in succession under McKenna. The Northern Irishman could not make survival stick, but Szmodics was signed and scored seven with a further two assists in his 23 appearances last term.

Sammie Szmodics' terms of agreement with Derby County after Ipswich Town loan

It hasn't been easy for Szmodics at Ipswich since, with just one goal and eight starts in 18 appearances in all competitions since relegation. Marcelino Nunez and wingers are often deployed in central roles in the 4-2-3-1.

Injuries have had their part to play, with Szmodics only able to feature in four of the last 18 games in the league. A change of scenery and a fresh start has now been sealed for the attacking midfielder.

He has scored or assisted 48 goals in 134 games and reuniting with Eustace could get plenty out of Szmodics again. Wrexham or Derby could have swooped for Szmodics before the deadline.

Derby won the race, even with Stoke City also eyeing a deal with Ipswich. There had also been talk, at one stage earlier in the window, that Szmodics could move to Derby permanently before the deadline.

With four loan spots currently taken up in the Rams’ ranks, they had the room for one more before the window closes, with a loan deal between the two clubs the likeliest route Derby were going to take to strike a deal.

A deal has been sealed now but Stuart Watson of the East Anglian Daily Times has revealed the terms. Ultimately, a temporary deal was agreed for a loan from Ipswich, with "terms for a permanent switch likely to be revisited in the summer".

It's only a temporary deal, but you would back the midfielder to kick on this season and potentially secure a permanent switch, even if he turns 31 soon after.

The Eustace factor with Szmodics was perhaps key. He has already reunited with numerous former Blackburn players at Pride Park, namely Danny Batth, Dion Sanderson, Lewis Travis, and Andreas Weimann.

Szmodics can be utilised as more of box-to-box player or off the left and cutting in, but his best role is as a No.10, which is where Eustace is expected to utilise him in his current team shape.

In the right system, Szmodics guarantees goals at this level. His ability to crash the box or arrive on the end of cutbacks, while also shooting well off either foot? It's without peer at this level and Ipswich will be frustrated to never see the best of him.

Their loss is Eustace's game, where he could be the difference in the play-off race for Derby if he can get back to full fitness and consistent form and rhythm.