Andreas Weimann will leave Derby County in 2026 if nothing changes - 7 others could follow | OneFootball

FLW has taken a look at the players set to leave Derby County next summer

Derby County’s squad has experienced a period of change over the past few years.

After securing promotion from League One and then retaining their Championship status, the Rams have added a number of new faces to their ranks in an attempt to push further up towards the Premier League.

Exciting additions such as Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Rhian Brewster have given their squad a new complexion, but it also means that some other players have had to make way.

That trend could be set to continue into 2026 and with this in mind, Football League World has taken a look at the players currently set to leave Pride Park when their contracts expire next year.

Andreas Weimann

Andreas Weimann swapped Blackburn Rovers for Derby County when his contract expired in the summer, keen to link back up with John Eustace. The 34-year-old was only signed on a one-year deal and has been more of a rotation player, but has featured heavily off the bench.

Weimann has scored a match-winner against West Brom, proving himself to be a useful asset for Derby, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his deal extended further.

Curtis Nelson

Curtis Nelson hasn’t played a minute of competitive football since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in January and has run out only twice for the U21s.

The defender signed for Derby in 2023 and was a solid operator for the Rams, but there is no telling how he will perform post-injury.

At this moment in time, he is set to leave Pride Park at the end of this season, which would be a deflating end to his time with the Rams.

Callum Elder

Callum Elder is another player who signed for Derby in 2023 and has been a useful option on the left flank during his time with the club.

The 30-year-old has already started a large number of Championship matches this season and due to his versatile nature, appears to have many desirable assets in Eustace’s eyes.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be a shock to see his contract extended before the end of the season.

Joe Ward

After not featuring much in the early part of the season, Joe Ward has been deployed more frequently by Eustace in recent times.

Like Elder, he has the required versatility to perform a number of roles on the right flank, which appeals to Eustace’s system.

However, it is yet to be seen whether Derby’s manager may opt for some fresh blood in that area and let Ward’s contract expire.

Kayden Jackson

Kayden Jackson signed for Derby in 2024 after spending six years with Ipswich, but has failed to perform on the whole.

Despite showing flashes of his brilliance, the striker isn’t high up on the pecking order at Pride Park and looks like one of the more likely candidates not to have his deal extended.

Danny Batth

Like Weimann, Batth opted against extending his stay at Blackburn Rovers to join Derby County in the summer.

The 35-year-old has primarily been a squad player and has found minutes hard to come by since the start of the season.

Eustace may choose to keep him around due to his influence in the dressing room, but that may be Batth’s only hope of an extension.

Josh Vickers

Josh Vickers has played as a back-up goalkeeper to Jacob Widell Zetterström this season, limited to just EFL cup appearances.

Having been at Pride Park since 2023 in a similar role throughout, he may pursue pastures new when his contract expires in the summer to secure more game time.

Richard O'Donnell

Richard O'Donnell signed for Derby in the summer on a one-year deal and has assumed the role of third-choice goalkeeper.

If the 37-year-old is happy to continue occupying that position, he could see his deal extended into the future.