Bird scored a spectacular goal in the Rams’ 2-0 victory over Carlisle United to cap off his stellar Derby career and guarantee the team’s promotion to the Championship.
The 23-year-old midfield metronome, who joined the team when he was 10 years old, will say his final farewell this summer. The midfield metronome was loaned back to Pride Park in January after signing for Bristol City.
Bird played 200 games since his debut in September 2017 and scored one of the most significant goals for the team this decade, so it was a suitable way to cap off his career.
Liam Thompson, Eiran Cashin, and Louie Sibley are the current stars of the team because of Bird’s ascent from the academy to the first team.
Darren Robinson, a fellow midfielder, is now aiming for comparable success.
Robinson enrolled at Derby at the beginning of the 2021–2022 season as a first-year scholar.
After signing his first professional contract in the 2022–2023 season, Robinson—who played his senior debut for the Dungannon Swifts at the age of 16—became highly regarded in Derbyshire and moved to the Rams.
Since then, the 19-year-old has made four senior appearances. In April 2022, Rooney gave him his Championship debut against Bristol City.
He has made 12 appearances in Premier League 2 this season, starting as captain for his team against some of the top Category 1 academies, such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Manchester City.
As a result, it was rumored that Aston Villa and Southampton were planning a January bid for the adolescent star, but nothing came of it.
Although Robinson is a versatile player, he primarily plays defensive midfield. He has also played center back, central midfield, and right midfield. His Pride Park deal expires this summer, but Derby ought to renew it without hesitation.
Max Bird may name Darren Robinson as his heir.
Twelve players have contracts expiring this summer, including Robinson, but Derby is apparently in early talks to extend Robinson’s.
In his brief career, the two-time Scholar of the Season winner has deservedly garnered a great deal of praise; the former head of youth at Dungannon called him “excellent.”
With his ability to fly into challenges, draw the strings in midfield, and glide forward, the gifted defensive midfielder has all the makings of a successful player at Derby, much like Bird did.
Crucially, Warne’s decision to give young players an opportunity would be strengthened by keeping talent like Robinson; he has shown admiration for fellow academy colleagues Dajaune Brown and Cruz Allen.
The aforementioned jewels may have limited possibilities in the Championship, but Brown has demonstrated the value of a successful loan period away from the team for a player’s growth.
Derby may choose to do just that with Robinson the following season, sending him on loan to a team lower on the ladder and observing his progress.
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