Morris moves to Derby with 'ambition at all-time high'

Carlton Morris joined Derby from Luton on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee

Carlton Morris says his ambition to get back to the Premier League is at "an all-time high" after moving to Derby County.

The 29-year-old striker left Luton Town for Pride Park after the Hatters suffered a second successive relegation last season to drop into League One.

A season earlier he was with Luton in the top flight, having played an instrumental role as their top scorer in the 2022-23 season to help get them promoted to the Premier League.

While Derby only clinched Championship survival on the final day last term, finishing just one point and three places above Luton in the drop zone, Morris has joined them with his focus on competing at the other end of the table this term.

"I'm 29 now and it is probably the most ambitious I have been in my career," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"I know it's usually the other way around, but it's just different for me now. I'm more motivated than ever to get back to that level, and it's maybe because have been there and come out of it.

"And I believe the foundations are in place here to go and achieve something. We have the staff, we have an excellent squad here, fan base, facilities and stadium, so why not have a go?"

Morris admits he was "sad to leave" Luton after three transformative years in which he also became a father for the first time.

"I hold Luton very close to my heart for more reasons than one, on and off the pitch," he said.

"I'm a different man from the person that joined Luton and I'm grateful for the three years of growth.

"And that might be why my motivation is at an all-time high - I have young kids now, a young family and there are even more people that I'm determined to make proud."

Derby will be the 10th club Morris has played for during an 11-year professional career that started at Norwich City.

Luton are the only side that he featured for more than 100 times, and in each of his three seasons there he finished as their top scorer – which included 11 goals in their Premier League campaign.

Morris was an attention-grabbing first summer addition for John Eustace's Rams, and he does not flinch from the attention.

"If they want to call it a statement signing, I'm absolutely fine with that," he said.

"But I keep my head on an even keel and just work hard.

"I'm about rewarding towns and cities with the work ethic they have. And Derbyshire and Derby is synonymous with hard work and getting your head down. That's what I'm about, and that will make my transition even easier."