Hulse QPR deal is agreed after Rams Bueno 'coup'
DERBY County have agreed to sell striker Rob Hulse to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee.
As Spanish forward Alberto Bueno arrived at Pride Park on a season-long loan from Real Valladolid yesterday, Hulse was in talks with Rangers and undergoing a medical.
The move went right to wire last night when the transfer window closed at 6pm and the deal is subject to Football League approval and clearance today.
"Derby County can confirm that a deal has been agreed in principle for the transfer of Rob Hulse," said a club statement.
Rangers have offered the 30-year-old a three-year deal.
Hulse's contract at Derby was due to expire at the end of this season, when he would become available on a free transfer.
He has been leading scorer in the past two seasons and struck in the victory over Leeds United at Elland Road on the opening day of the current campaign.
An Achilles problem has kept him out of the last three games including Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Rangers.
Hulse joined the Rams from Sheffield United two years ago for £1.75m.
He was one of a glut of summer signings made by Paul Jewell who desperately tried to reshape the squad following relegation from the Premier League.
Eighteen goals (15 in the League) in his first season was a significant contribution to keeping Derby in the Championship and he was named player of the year.
He rejected a £4m move to Middlesbrough 12 months ago but injury disrupted his pre-season training and he made a slow start to the 2009-10 campaign.
Niggling injuries and form saw him dip in and out of the team but his 12 goals still proved invaluable.
He scored winners against Coventry City, Reading and Nottingham Forest as the Rams eventually finished the season in 14th place.
Hulse has been linked constantly with moves away from Derby in the past 18 months.
Among the clubs reportedly interested in him during that time were Burnley, Leeds, Coventry City and Blackpool.
He has scored 31 goals in 96 games for Derby and is set to be reunited with Neil Warnock, who he played for at Sheffield United.
As one striker is set to depart, another has arrived.
Rams manager Nigel Clough has described the signing of Bueno as a real coup.
The 22-year-old started his career with Real Madrid and joined Valladolid last summer for 3m euros.
"We're delighted to welcome Alberto to Derby County and it is a real coup for us that we've managed to bring him here," said Clough.
"A lot of hard work has gone into this deal and it is great news we've managed to secure his signature because other teams across Europe were interested in him.
"He is going to need time to adapt to the English game, but we believe he will bring something to our team and make an impact."
Bueno has teamed up with the rest of the Derby squad at their training camp in Marbella.
The emergency loan window for Football League clubs opens next week and the Rams are expected to do business.
Rangers have also confirmed that they have signed former Derby County winger Tommy Smith from cash-strapped Portsmouth.
The three-year deal is due to be ratified by the Football League today.
59 Comments
View all
by Red Red Sh!t Head, STD Capital Snottingham
Thursday, September 02 2010, 8:02AM
“Red C'un't go away retard”
by Red 'un, City Ground - the famous team - a big club
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:11AM
“Dear deluded rams I must share this with you. My friend, a Leicester City supporter recently bought Robbie Savage's autobiography to see what he had to say about his time at LCFC. I laughed out loud when he pointed out the bit where Sav said he has never played for a big club!! ho ho ho. We've been telling you for long enough. Your are NOT a big club !”
by Pozypopsider, Derby
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:36PM
“Thank God for the like of Sunny Day and Smiling Ram. Don't despair doomongers, the implications of the 25 man limit on Premiership squads hasn't kicked in yet. Just think how many experienced pros are going to be looking for a game after today and-hopefully-we'll have saved some money for appropriate loans.”
by MaxHeadroom, Mickleover
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 6:58PM
“Presumably then his 'achilies ' injury cleared up in his medical
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by NorRam, London
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 5:41PM
“Joe - "I am all for cutting the debt, however Rome wasn't built in a day so why should the debt be."
Because whilst Rome could not be built in a day, an overdraft's repayment can be demanded within a day. It is not just the debt we had, it is the type of debt - a lot of it was short term, risky, and expensive (I don't in fact know whether it was all overdraft, but the short term debt was all due to be repaid within a year). It makes overwhelming business sense to repay that type of debt as quickly as is possible - contrast with the mortgage over Pride Park, which is also a debt, but which is a stable, long term debt (and which it would make no sense to repay early - this is why the club regularly refers to the mortgage).
I do sometimes think people lose sight of how much/little (depending on what way you look at it) money is involved in Championship football. For all our brilliant support, that brings in about £8 million a year in ticket revenue. Without parachute payments, the TV money is about £2.5 - 3 million. We do well out of sponsorship and commercial activities too, but to put it all in context when we were relegated our wage bill alone was nearly £20 million. We were paying £2 million a year in interest payments on the debt, and were heavily loss-making. That is not sustainable.
Believe me, if when the latest accounts are published (not until April next year, I'm afraid) they show us turning a profit and the owners either paying that to themselves or not re-investing it in the club, I'll be first to be asking questions. I very much doubt that will be the case though.”