Legal advice taken by at least two players as Rams saga continues
SEVEN REGISTERED FOR NEXT SEASON BUT SOME COULD BE LOOKING TO LEAVE THE CLUB
AT least two of Derby County’s contracted players are taking legal advice that could allow them to quit the Rams once the club is sold.
The Rams have seven players registered to the club ahead of next season, with the League Two campaign set to kick-off on July 30.
But some of those players are now taking legal advice as a result of the club’s off-field position.
Club administrators Quantuma are racing to find new buyers with Andy Appleby a strong contender to acquire the club as he awaits news on his offer this week.
But should Derby be sold it will be in the form of a new company and is governed by legislation known as Transfer of Undertakings.
Staff automatically switch to the new company but they also have the right to be told about the transfer and can object to being an employee before it happens.
That would trigger their contract being ripped up when the sale of the club goes through.
Five players are registered for next season, with another two recently having extended their current deals by another year after the club took up an option in their contracts.
The players are due to report back for pre-season training on Monday. In the meantime, Derby have finalised their pre-season preparations.
The Rams will face Premier League Leicester City as part of their schedule, with Brendan Rodgers’ side set to travel to Pride Park on Saturday, July 23, for a 1pm kick-off.
Derby will also face Hertha Berlin at home on July 16 in what is another high-profile fixture for Wayne Rooney’s side. The news comes as the club also confirmed two further preseason friendlies with four games having been arranged as part of the summer schedule.
The Rams will also travel to League Two Bradford City on July 9 for a 3pm kick-off and then on July 19 they will make the trip to Steve Evans’ Stevenage. That game will kick-off at 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, administrators Quantuma are busy trying to secure shortterm funding that will enable the club to sell season tickets and give boss Wayne Rooney an opportunity to strengthen the squad.
Although the club is under a transfer embargo, it is believed the EFL will allow the club to make new signings in the interest of the competition’s integrity, but would likely to be under strict conditions.
Meanwhile, Doncaster Rovers confirmed the signing of Luke Moly
neux just hours after Hartlepool United confirmed he would be leaving on a free transfer.
Molyneux had been linked with the Rams earlier in the summer after he produced a series of impressive performances for the League Two club last season. Pools had hoped to retain the services of the forward, who scored 12 goals last season.