What Nathan Byrne told new Derby County signing Patrick Agyemang before he joined | OneFootball

Nathan Byrne gave Patrick Agyemang detailed advice about moving to English football.

Former Derby County defender Nathan Byrne gave Patrick Agyemang detailed advice about moving to English football before the USA international completed his transfer from Charlotte FC to the Rams.

Having made 82 appearances for Derby between 2020 and 2022, Byrne was definitely in the right position to offer specific advice about the club and the league.

Byrne moved to the East Midlands to replace Sheffield United-bound Jayden Bogle in 2020, but exercised his right under the Transfer of Undertakings to depart the club after David Clowes' takeover.

The right-back was twice named Wigan Athletic's Players' Player of the Year, featuring for the Latics 136 times before joining the Rams.

Nathan Byrne's honest words to Patrick Agyemang about English football

In a revealing press conference via Charlotte FC's YouTube channel - the club Byrne now plays for in the MLS - the 33-year-old former Ram opened up about the long conversations he had with Agyemang prior to the striker's £5.8m switch to Pride Park.

Byrne pulled no punches in describing the huge differences between the MLS and the Championship.

"I just told him listen, if you want to go, it's extremely different," Byrne revealed. " I told him pretty much everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly."

Now 33, the right-back put emphasis on the cultural shock that would await Agyemang despite any preparation. "The main thing I said to him was be ready for a change in scenery and everything, because you’ll still be shocked when you get there. It couldn’t be more opposite than Charlotte," he explained.

Byrne also highlighted the main differences in fan expectations and match-day culture between the two countries. "And the difference is there also, in England, it’s all about football, nothing else. They don’t care about half-time shows, people flying out the sky, they don’t care," he stated.

"It’s go there, have a drink, have a hot-dog, a burger, and win. If you don’t win, they’re not happy. If you win, you’re the greatest player in the world, that’s it," he told his then-Charlotte teammate.

Before Byrne left Derby after relegation to League One in 2022, the club triggered a one-year contract extension in an attempt to keep him at the club.

It was reported by The Sun Sport that the likes of Celtic, Stoke, Preston and Millwall were all interested in securing his services at the time.

Byrne hopes Patrick Agyemang is successful at Derby

Despite the warnings about the challenges ahead, Byrne expressed genuine optimism about his former teammate's chances at Derby County.

"Hopefully he goes there and scores 25 goals and he’s a hero," he said.

The defender's advice reflects the reality many American players face when transitioning to English football, where the intensity and pace can be very different from the MLS.

Jordan Morris signed for Swansea City on loan from Seattle Sounders in the 20/21 season and only appeared in four league games, failing to score at all.

Since moving back to his homeland, Morris has scored scored 13+ goals in his last two full seasons - 14 and 18 - suggesting he's an example of someone who failed to adapt well to the second-tier.

24-year-old Agyemang joins Derby having scored 17 goals in 59 MLS regular-season appearances for Charlotte.

Alongside Byrne himself joining the MLS side from Derby, Polish winger Kamil Jozwiak also made the same switch - after scoring just one goal in 61 games for the Rams.