Andi Weimann transfer twist emerges at Derby County after deadline-day | OneFootball

Derby County forward Andi Weimann is set to join Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna.

Derby County are set to facilitate one more piece of transfer business, even though England's winter window closed on Monday.

The Rams have bolstered their squad with additions such as ex-Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson and former Blackburn Rovers ace Sammie Szmodics.

Meanwhile, Ryan Nyambe and Corey Blackett-Taylor left John Eustace's side on loan, whereas Kayden Jackson and Ebou Adams completed permanent exits.

Derby sit just two points adrift of the Championship play-off places, and are vying to earn their 13th league win of the season when they host Ipswich Town this Saturday.

Andi Weimann set for Derby County exit as transfer U-turn emerges

Andi Weimann has made just five Championship starts for the Rams this season, with John Eustace favouring fellow forwards such as Patrick Agyemang.

Meanwhile, Derby had initially knocked back Rapid Vienna's approach to sign Weimann, who turns 35 in August.

However, Sky Sports Austria's Eric Niederseer revealed on Tuesday that the Rams are now letting the former Bristol City man join Rapid Vienna, whose transfer window closes on Friday.

Niederseer's report adds that Weimann's initial contract with the Austrian side will last until 2026, while he notched an assist when Derby thrashed the Robins 5-0 last week.

The 34-year-old only returned to Pride Park last summer, but he is now set to join a Rapid Vienna outfit who are vying to return to the top half of the Bundesliga.

Derby County could miss Andi Weimann's experience as Championship play-off race heats up

Weimann has not been a star player for the Rams this term, and has notched just one goal and three assists in 25 Championship appearances, albeit he has made just five starts.

The veteran's assist against Bristol City last Friday was his first goal contribution in the second tier since he produced his second assist of the season in a 2-1 victory over Hull City back in early November.

However, Weimann's rich experience in the Championship means that he could still have been a major asset for Derby at the business end of the season.

Eustace's men are battling for a second-tier play-off spot just two years after clinching promotion from League One, with some players currently producing the best football of their careers.

Weimann, meanwhile, was a key player in the Rams squad that finished sixth following a successful 2017/18 season, and knows what it takes to perform at the top end of the Championship when the pressure is on.

Even though the 26-cap Austria international suffered a lack of game time this season, his dressing room presence could have been massive for blossoming young talents such as Bobby Clark in the final 16 games of the campaign.

However, that experience is something that Derby will now miss, with the 34-year-old set to join Rapid Vienna.