Derby County announced the signing of two European players on Thursday. Andrejs Pereplotkins and Aleksandar Prijovic join the squad just in time for Saturday’s season opener.

The Derby County official site announced on Thursday afternoon that Latvian midfielder Andrejs Pereplotkins who has recently been on trial with the Rams has been signed in a season long loan.

After an eye catching display in right midfield against FC Utrecht including earning the team’s penalty, the 23 year old joins Derby from Skonto FC, where he scored an impressive 20 goals in 55 games. Pereplotkins has also won 5 international caps for Latvia and scored once. The official DCFC site also reported he has international clearance and will be give number 33.

The second signing, 6’3”, 18 year old striker Aleksandar Prijovic. The official site reports that he did not re-sign with Parma this season to join the Rams and will play wearing number 34, the same number he wore for Parma. He was capped at U19 level for Serbia, although born in Switzerland he was allowed an international transfer due to his parents being Serbian. He is still awaiting international clearance.

Although little information is currently available on Prijovic it seems he is a highly regarded up and coming talent who the Rams have been able to swoop in and obtain when Parma were very keen to retain him. Typing his name into ‘youtube’ produces two low quality videos under that name but neither confirm if it is the player signed today by the Rams.

With Paul Jewell stating he wanted to strengthen his midfield he has gone closer to doing so with Pereplotkins, Teale and Zadkovich all capable right sided midfielders. His other wish of another central defender is yet to materialize but the Rams strike force is now at an all time high. Now fans only hope that same strike force will produce the goals required for promotion.

Photo: Action Images

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