Jordon close to Pride Park move, says he wants to climb ‘into light’
FREE AGENT WINGER ISSUES EMOTIONAL MESSAGE AHEAD OF RETURN TO DERBY
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DERBY County looked to be edging closer to signing former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe yesterday.
We reported after Saturday’s defeat by Luton Town that Derby would like to add the 24-year-old to their squad if the player fitted into their budget and a deal could be agreed.
It was reported by the Telegraph that Ibe could have a medical yesterday and sign a two-year deal.
Rams boss Phillip Cocu wants to add to his attacking options.
He has been asked about Derby’s interest in Ibe on a number of occasions in recent weeks and has not dismissed the link.
Ibe is a free agent after leaving Bournemouth at the end of last season.
He enjoyed a loan spell with the Rams during the 2014-15 season when he scored five times in 20 League appearances, only 13 of which were starts.
Ibe then left parent club Liverpool to join Bournemouth for £15m in July 2016.
He has issued an emotional message ahead of his expected return to the Rams, talking about why the move to the Cherries did not quite work out for him.
In an Instagram post, he revealed he had battled mental health issues but credited his young daughter with helping him climb “out of the darkness”.
Ibe wrote: “I lost my passion for the game I love due to mistakes that were made and also suffering from depression.
“My family have been strong for me and I thank each and every one of my family.
“But most importantly my motivation for climbing out of the darkness and into the light has been my daughter, who I love dearly and care so much about.”
The Rams are also interested in signing former Liverpool striker Bobby Duncan, the Derby Telegraph understands.
The 19-year-old, who left Anfield 12 months ago, is a player at Fiorentina. There are other clubs also interested in the youngster, who could make a return to English football.
Derby are understood to be in talks over a possible move and it has been reported that the player has visited the Rams’ Moor Farm training ground.
Duncan has yet to play a senior competitive game and he would likely join Derby’s Under-23 set up at first but could step up to the first team if he impresses.
The cousin of former Liverpool and England star Steven Gerrard, Duncan left Manchester City in his mid-teens to join Liverpool and has a highly impressive record for club and for England at youth level.
He left Liverpool soon after his former agent issued a statement accusing the club of “damaging his mental health”.
Liverpool denounced the claims as “unfounded allegations”.
Duncan joined Fiorentina for £1.8m but he has been on the fringes of the first team.
He has scored four goals in 12 games for the Italian club’s B team.