USA striker Agyemang completes Derby move

Patrick Agyemang scored twice for the United States in their recent Gold Cup campaign

Derby County have signed United States striker Patrick Agyemang from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC for a fee that could rise to £7.3m.

The 24-year-old, whose transfer fee before add-ons is believed to be about £5.8m, moves to Pride Park on a four-year contract just over a week after he started for the USA in their Gold Cup final defeat by Mexico.

However, the Rams said in a statement confirming his arrival that Agyemang will have "routine" surgery on a long-standing hernia problem, meaning he is "likely to miss the opening games" of the Championship season.

Agyemang scored 17 goals in 59 MLS regular-season appearances for Charlotte after they recruited him from the University of Rhode Island as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Within two years, he was called up by USA boss Mauricio Pochettino and since scoring on his international debut in January, Agyemang has netted a further four goals in 11 appearances.

Agyemang is the second striker that Derby have brought in for a significant fee this summer, although what it cost to add Luton forward Carlton Morris was not disclosed.

But with the American coming with a price tag that could rise beyond £7m with add-ons, he becomes the most expensive signing the East Midlands club has made since David Clowes took ownership of the club when it was in administration in 2022.

Although the price paid is officially undisclosed by Derby, Charlotte say they have received a club-record "multi-million-dollar" fee for Agyemang and retain a sell-on percentage.

"Patrick's rise over the past 18 months put him on the radar of many clubs across Europe, and ultimately Derby County's offer convinced the club and player to reach an agreement," said Charlotte general manager Zoran Krneta.

"To get a deal done, it needs to be in the best interest of the club first and foremost, but also of the player and in this case, it achieves both.

"He becomes the first player in our club's history to come through our player pathway and be sold in a multi-million-dollar transfer."