Birmingham City seal transfer as Derby County contract terms emerge

Derby County have confirmed the permanent signing of Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson, following an impressive loan spell at Pride Park.

The centre-back, who has been a standout performer for the Rams since arriving on a season-long loan from the Blues in the summer, has joined Derby for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the six-figure range.

Since his arrival, Sanderson has established himself as a crucial part of John Eustace’s squad, making 21 Championship appearances this season and scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–2 defeat to Watford. His consistent performances at the heart of Derby’s defence have helped stabilise the team in mid-table, and his permanent signing also frees up a loan spot ahead of the January transfer window.

Reflecting on the move, Sanderson described the permanent deal as “exciting” and “a massive honour.” He added: “I can’t thank the lads, the staff and the fans enough for giving me such a great time so far.

From the start, I just wanted to focus on playing, and I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to do that. Over the past few weeks, there were conversations about making it permanent, and thankfully we got it over the line.”

Sanderson’s relationship with Eustace has been a key factor in his decision. Having worked with the head coach previously at QPR, Birmingham, and Blackburn, Sanderson felt the familiarity and trust with the manager made the move appealing.

However, he also emphasised that even if Eustace were not at the club, he would still have wanted to join Derby. “I’ve really enjoyed playing for this club,” he said. “The squad here is a fantastic group of players, and I couldn’t picture myself anywhere else right now — Derby is the one for me.”

The permanent signing marks another smart piece of business for Derby County, who have shown an eye for adding proven performers while also managing their squad efficiently as the January window approaches.

For Birmingham City, Sanderson’s departure closes a chapter on a player who contributed during his time at St Andrew’s before seeking regular first-team football in the Championship.