Derby County signing reveals what attracted him to Pride Park

New Derby County goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith has said he chose the Rams over a new deal with Sheffield Wednesday because he needed a different challenge and to get out of his comfort zone.

The goalkeeper’s move to Pride Park was confirmed over the weekend, with Derby now able to sign players following the completion of their club takeover.

That move ended Wildsmith’s lengthy stay at Hillsborough having been with the club since he was a youngster.

“I just felt like I needed a different challenge and I’ve got that in signing for Derby.” Wildsmith said, via The Star.

“I feel like the opportunity here is massive and that is one of the reasons for signing.

“The new challenge and getting out of my comfort zone is something brand new to me and I just feel like I can thrive under that new feeling and kick on.”

Wildsmith is potentially set to be number one at Pride Park, something which he could not say last season at Sheffield Wednesday.

In the 2021/22 campaign, the 26-year-old made just eight appearances in all competitions, with Owls’ Darren Moore preferring Burnley loanee Bailey Peacock-Farrell in-between the sticks.

“My career has been mixed so far and that is due to different circumstances whether that be injuries or different managers coming in,” Wildsmith explained.

“Everyone has different opinions and that’s the journey I’ve been on and I take what I can from that in experiences and hopefully I can use that as motivation for wanting and striving to get better and establishing myself as a number one goalkeeper.

“I feel the opportunity here is for me to do that and that was one of the main reasons for signing here, along with the club’s ambitions and working with Jason Pearcey and the group of lads here.

“I feel there is a