Has Mike te Wierik kicked on since leaving Derby County?

It’s fair to say that Derby County have had many transfers over the years that just haven’t worked out, with Mike te Wierik one of those.

Whilst the centre-back can’t be viewed as a disastrous signing in a financial sense, as he arrived on a free, he certainly didn’t make the impact the Rams had hoped on the pitch.

Phillip Cocu brought the player in from Groningen and it had been hoped he would suit the style of play the Dutchman was trying to implement, which was to play out from the back. However, just four appearances and a departure within six months shows that it didn’t work out.

In fairness, Cocu was sacked, which didn’t help to Wierik’s chances, and a return to Groningen was sorted in January 2021.

And, the return to the Eredivisie has certainly helped the defender, who has played regularly since he returned, which includes 17 appearances in the current campaign.

With his side 10th in the table, te Wierik will be pleased with how things have gone, even if they are ten points away from the European play-off places.

Nevertheless, it’s still clear that a return to the Netherlands is much better for the 29-year-old, who couldn’t settle into English football and didn’t show why he was considered a smart signing for Derby at the time.

It will no doubt frustrate some Rams supporters that they couldn’t get the best out of te Wierik, who is clearly a talented player considering he has been a regular in the Dutch top-flight for virtually all of his career.

Of course, there are differences between the two leagues, with the Championship known to be more physical, which may not have suited the player.

Ultimately though, this is a deal that didn’t work out for Derby, Groningen or te Wierik, with Cocu’s dismissal