'Cashin bled black and white'

Eiran Cashin's departure from Derby County sees another academy graduate leave the club with hopes to make a Premier League living.

Brighton's gain is Derby's loss with a huge hole left by the 23-year-old heart on the sleeve individual.

He has literally bled black and white ever since making his full debut under Wayne Rooney in 2021.

Back then administration and Covid outbreaks meant Cashin was needed in the first team, but because of various EFL rules set out through administration, Derby were unable to register him.

Rooney's faith in the youngster saw him make 18 Championship appearances at the age of 19.

From that moment on his allegiance to the cause has never been in question, he's grown into an experienced central defender who's developed his game from head it and kick, to play out from the back and switch play effortlessly.

When Brighton first came knocking in the summer of 2023 it turned his head.

He missed the away defeat at Bolton in September because he had been waiting in a Little Eaton coffee shop in case a deal with the Seagulls could be reached.

It wasn't and he reached the team hotel in the north west at 2am.

Since then he celebrated promotion from League One as a main stay of Paul Warne's side that finished second in the table.

Like the majority of his team-mates, the return to the Championship has not been as comfortable as hoped.

His tears after the Cardiff City game recently led to speculation of a departure.

For him a move to Brighton is a sensible option with Derby in a relegation battle.

His stock might not be as high in League One, should that fate fall their way.

His personal ambition to play in the Premier League is an unselfish dream to which every fan should support.