David McGoldrick signs for Derby County having previously held talks with Middlesbrough

David McGoldrick has signed for Derby County having previously held talks to join Middlesbrough this summer. Chris Wilder discussed a potential move to Teesside with the veteran striker, as he hoped to reunite with the striker who served him so well at Sheffield United.

The 34-year-old was a free agent this summer after leaving the Blades and he looked a good fit for Boro as they seek to add three centre forwards to their squad in the current transfer window. However, with a guarantee over playing time, McGoldrick has instead decided on the move to Derby County as the Midlands club look to rebuild in League One.

Wilder is understood to have held talks over a potential move to Teesside for the striker who netted 15 goals for Sheffield United in their promotion-winning season under the now-Boro boss. But Wilder would offer no such guarantees over his game-time, with McGoldrick believed to feel his chances of playing regularly were better served at Derby. Born in Nottingham and still living around that area, the geography worked out better at Derby for him and his family too.

On Joining Derby, the striker told Rams TV: "It’s a big pull. It’s a big club and I know a lot about the club. Speaking to Liam Rosenior and some of the players who are here, what they want to do and the ambition of where they want to get back to; it’s a massive project that I want to be a part of.

"I still feel as hungry and ambitious as ever and I know I can still play at the top level, but this is a big pull for me. There were other offers which were probably more lucrative but I just felt this was right. I’m local as well so it’s good for me and my family and the whole project of the club and what the players have said about it, it’s just perfect