Medical Begins: Derby County agree deal to sign player with 230 Forest apps

Sheffield United star Ben Osborn is undergoing a Derby County medical on Thursday, sources have told Football Insider.

Osborn has agreed the terms of a deal with Derby and is set to completed a free transfer imminently.

His contract at Bramall Lane is due to expire at the end of the week.

Derby boss Paul Warne is working strengthen his side after securing a place back in the Championship last season.

The transfer carries an added edge given the player’s past exploits with Nottingham Forest, spending 16 years at the City Ground since childhood, though Osborn did join the Forest academy from Derby at the age of just nine.

He made 230 appearances in total for the Premier League club.

The 29-year-old joins a number of experienced heads to leave Sheffield United as free agents this summer, including George Baldock, Oliver Norwood and Max Lowe, who has joined city rivals Sheffield Wednesday [BBC Sport, 15 June].

Derby County agree to sign Sheffield United star

Warne will be eager to ensure there are no 11th-hour snags for Derby in the deal for Osborn, who has over 350 career appearances under his belt across the Premier League and Championship.

Osborn was born in the city and first began his academy journey with the Rams back in the early 2000s, though the move will ignite strong views from the Nottinghamshire area as he joins Forest’s bitter rivals.

Derby have so far been unfortunate with their summer transfer pursuits – Football Insider [10 May] understands the Rams have chased Charlton Athletic youngster Thierry Small to no avail, and also that highly-rated teenage target Dan Ellison has agreed a deal with Bristol Rovers [18 June].

As opposed to youth in this instance, Warne has recruited a player to come straight into the side and give a helping hand towards those less experienced at the level.

A versatile operator, Osborn can play both in midfield and at full-back and is anticipated to join on a long-term contract.

In other news, Derby County are lining up a move for ex-Celtic star Karamoko Dembele.

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