As expected, Derby County has completed the emergency loan signing of Jamie Ward from Sheffield United. As always RamZone presents a comprehensive report on the signing with a full player profile so we can get to know him better!

The Rams completed the signing late on Wednesday with the player immediately joining the squad for his first training session where he was handed the number 10 shirt vacated recently by Kris Commons.

The deal runs for the remainder of the current season and is believed to include an option for a permanent transfer for next season.

Speaking to the official site Nigel Clough was very pleased to finally bring some much needed pace into his squad:

"We've been in the hunt for a striker with pace who can be a real menace to opposition defences for some time, and we believe we have just that with Jamie."

"He has pace - which has been a big issue for us - he can get about the pitch and he will provide a goal threat for us."

"He will bring a different dimension to our play which we've probably not had all season, and Jamie is a player we have monitored and kept our eye on for well over a year."

"Jamie is still young, he is hungry to play and I think he is more than comfortable slotting in to any of the systems we play."

"Also, our interest in Jamie goes beyond this loan window; we see him playing a part in the coming seasons for Derby County and that is something we can expand on come the summer."

"By no means is this the last bit of business we are looking to do in the emergency window; we have other targets and we are perusing them."

After falling from favour at the blades, Ward was excited about returning to fist team action and the possibility of a longer career at Derby beyond the loan deal:

"I understand the team has been desperate for some pace, so I hope I can provide that."

“I know there is pressure to get goals, there is every time you step out on the pitch, but I believe I can handle it."

"I met the Gaffer yesterday and he basically told me he wanted me to work hard for him. I'm more than prepared to do that, and if I can get a few goals along the way I will be delighted."

"I was told I was surplus to requirements at Sheffield United, so it was important I went where I could play first-team football."

"It has been a difficult year there, I haven't played too much and there has been a lot of managerial upheaval too."

"I'm excited about the challenge of playing for Derby County now and hopefully I can help push the team up the league. If I do well, I hope it is something that can be extended beyond the end of the season."

Now Derby has completed the signing, as always RamZone takes a look at our newest player with a full player profile:

Jamie John Ward was born on May 12th 1986 in Smith's Wood, Solihull.

Jamie was identified as a talented youngster by Aston Villa and began his career as a trainee. He was a member of their 2004 FA Youth Cup squad that was defeated in the Final by Middlesbrough. He was rewarded with a professional contract in July 2005 but not before having to come back from serious injuries he sustained in a car crash.

Ward was identified as a future leader at Villa and was appointed Captain of the reserve but by the time he eventually left the club had not managed a single first team appearance despite assured performances in the second string.

Ward was loaned to Stockport County in March of 2006 and made 9 appearances during the spell that lasted until the end of the 05/06 campaign.

Aston Villa released Ward after returning from his loan at Stockport and he was promptly snapped up by Torquay on a 3 year contract at the start of the 06/07 season. However the move was short lived as when the club changed ownership and manager Ward asked for a transfer in December.

He followed the former Torquay manager Roy McFarland to Chesterfield signing a two and a half year contract. After suffering some early injury issues he bounced back and netted a dozen times during the remainder of the 07 / 08 season.

As the 2008–09 got underway he had become an established first team player at Chesterfield but was attracting serious interest from teams such as Derby and Sheffield United.

After rejecting a new contract in early 2009 Barnsley had a £400,000 offer accepted that fell over when Ward failed to agree to terms. Ward instead ended up signing a three and a half year deal in January with Sheffield United for a fee believed to be around £330,000.

Ward became a regular starting player for the team and made a good impression on the club and fans which was only soured when he was sent off in the Blades 2009 play-off final defeat against Burnley (ironic!).

He opened the 09/10 season in stellar form scoring 4 goals in his first 7 games. The rest of his season was stop – start as injury twice cut him down causing him to miss months of football with hamstring issues.

To date his 10/11 season has been a trial for the player after struggling to find form in a Blades team that has failed to fire this campaign. Things went to bad to worse after he fell out with the clubs new manager Mick Adams and subsequently was frozen out of the first team.

One of his few appearances was as a substitute against Leeds United. His return to action resulted in him being sent off after a challenge on Neil Kilkenny.

Jamie Ward has definitely scored his fair share of goals at a lower level with 9 from 25 at Torquay and an impressive 29 from 67 at Chesterfield. He has only managed 9 goals from 63 appearances since 2009 for the Blades but has often been used out wide and is a handy winger with impressive speed.

Although born in England Jamie has plied his international career for Northern Ireland, qualifying to do so through his grandfather.

After receiving caps at both under-18 and under-21 level he was finally capped at senior level in March 2009. Ward only made it as far as the bench for two World Cup Qualifiers against Poland and Slovenia and has not been capped since.

Maybe some good form with the Rams could see that change in the future.

RamZone would like to wish Jamie Ward all the best in a Derby County FC shirt, may he provide the goals and spark the Rams require and in turn may the Rams provide him a permanent home where he is appreciated.

That way everyone is happy - Good luck Jamie!

See some of Ward's pace and a goal on YouTube by clicking here!

If you missed our full player profile for the Rams other new signing - 'Daniel Ayala' - just click on his name and find out exactly who Daniel is!

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