The text which led to Hendrick rejoining Derby

Jeff Hendrick played 214 times for Derby between 2010 and 2016

When Jeff Hendrick re-signed for Derby County in March, it was worlds away from how he saw his career playing out just weeks earlier.

"I have so many great memories at Derby, and when I look back on my time at the club, it was fantastic.", he told BBC Radio Derby.

As a product of the Ram's youth academy, Hendrick made his debut for the first team in 2010 and went on to play 214 times in all competitions, scoring 26 goals, and helping Derby reach back-to-back Championship play-offs.

After Derby lost to Hull in the play-off semi-finals, the Premier League caught a whiff of Hendrick's quality and in August 2016 he was snapped up by Burnley for a then club-record £10.5m.

The midfielder featured in Burnley's 2018-19 Europa League campaign

The midfielder went on to feature in the Clarets' 2018-19 Europa League campaign, and after four years in the top flight decided his time there was done, opting for a move to Newcastle.

But his three years on Tyneside reaped little reward and after just 27 appearances, and three spells out on loan, he was shown the door.

"Obviously, I'm not going to sugar-coat it; 2024 was a shocker and I knew I wouldn't have a ton of clubs lining up for me," he admitted.

Hendrick spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Reading, who were relegated from the Championship

Hendrick said the break from football was difficult, but also a chance to spend time with his family.

He explained: "I wouldn't say I wasn't bothered, but it gave me time to spend with the kids and my partner. But then you watch football matches and I still knew I could play.

"I knew I wasn't just going to sign for anyone, because it had to suit me and my family."

But here is where the story took an unexpected turn.

After relegation-threatened Derby sacked Paul Warne in February, the club appointed their former player John Eustace as manager, who just so happened to be one of Hendrick's former team-mates.

"With [Eustace] coming back I started seeing comments on social media asking if he had been in touch, which he hadn't been at the time," said Hendrick.

"But then when I was away on holiday I got a text [from Eustace] and right then [my partner] told me I had to go back.

"It was out of the blue, and I'm really delighted."

Now 33, Hendrick has enjoyed being back at the club and seeing the way his former team-mate has adapted to management.

"He's been brilliant," said Hendrick.

"Obviously it's a bit different because I've played with him, but you can see the time he puts [into the job]. Hours and hours every day, leaving no stone unturned.

"And the feedback I'm getting from the other players is that they're really happy with what they're being told and the preparation for all the games."