What David Ozoh has said to Derby County fans as Crystal Palace loan comes to an end | OneFootball

David Ozoh has sent a message to Derby County supporters after his loan spell with the Rams comes to an end

Derby County missed out on a place in the Championship play-offs on the final day with a 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United, with John Eustace's side succumbing to another year in the second tier.

It was heartbreak on the final day at Pride Park for Derby supporters, seeing their side squander a one-goal lead to lose out to Sheffield United on the final day, ending their hopes of breaking into the top six.

On the whole, however, it has been a much-improved season for the Rams, who only managed to stay up by the skin of their teeth on the final day last time around with a goalless draw to Stoke City.

Though Derby supporters may take solace in the fact that even if they did win on the final day, Hull City's win over Norwich City meant they wouldn't have moved into the play-offs regardless.

Attention at Pride Park will immediately be turning to the summer window, where Eustace will be keen to add those final bits of quality to his squad to push for the play-offs next time around.

The likes of Sammie Szmodics, Ben Brereton Diaz, Bobby Clark, Jayden Banel, and David Ozoh will all return to their parent clubs upon their loan spells expiring, as Ozoh, in particular, will be sorely missed should a return not be sanctioned.

David Ozoh sends a heartfelt message to Derby County supporters as the midfielder returns to Crystal Palace following his loan spell

Valencia-born midfielder Ozoh has spent the last two seasons on loan with Derby from Crystal Palace, with the first being disrupted by injuries, having initially been brought to the club by Paul Warne.

Eustace saw enough to bring him back to the club during the summer, though, and the 20-year-old has continued to win over Rams supporters with his performances in the middle of the park, with two goals from 33 Championship appearances.

With his second loan spell up, the 20-year-old has taken to X to send a message to Derby supporters.

With 47 appearances across all competitions during his two years in Derbyshire, everyone at Derby, Ozoh included, would have been hoping to see him on the pitch much more regularly had injuries not hindered his playing time.

As he prepares to return to South London, the Englishman has just one year remaining on his current terms with Palace, with it not yet clear at this stage as to his future at Selhurst Park.

Eustace has been clear in his desire to keep his loan stars at the club, such as Clark and Brereton Diaz, with Ozoh likely falling in that category as well, saying: "It's important we start straight away.

"There's been a lot going on behind the scenes in the last month or so, which is great. But it's really important that we do the business and we sign with intent. The fans will expect it, as will the staff and the players.

"The buzz about the football club is there, so let's not disappoint. I'm not saying that we spend millions and millions of pounds like a lot of other teams, but that we do our business correctly, and we just keep gradually laying good foundations moving forward."

Ozoh himself has previously opened the door over a potential return this summer, saying: "Of course I do think about it. It's not a nice feeling knowing that it could come to an end; I've enjoyed my time here. It's been very good.

"I've enjoyed the staff, the players, the fans, everyone. It's been a great time."

It seems as though everyone, including the midfielder, would like another return, this time on a permanent basis, but whether that will be at all possible, as at this stage, remains to be seen.

John Eustace will be keen to bring David Ozoh back to Derby County next season

With huge strides of improvement taken this season, it would be little surprise if Eustace actively pursued bringing his loan stars back this summer and keeping the core of his squad together.

Ozoh has proven his capabilities in midfield, and with two years of development at Derby under his belt, you would imagine he would only continue to improve in his third year.

For now, the 20-year-old heads back to the capital, though where he will be playing his football next season remains unclear for now,