George Burley pulled another surprise on Rams fans this afternoon with the signing of Tommy Smith from Sunderland.
The 24 year old who started at Watford was an England Under 21 colleague of Michael Owen, but has not, so far, reached the heights that Owen has forcing Burley to describe his capture as having "unfulfilled potential".
FootyMad caught up with the striker at his official unveiling and managed to get a chat with him the first half of which we feature here.
FM: Well Tommy why choose Derby over a further contract with Sunderland?
Tommy Smith: I’ve had that question a lot. I spoke to George and I spoke to Murdo McKay and they talked to me about what they wanted out of the club and where they think the club is going. I’ve had a look at the ground and the training ground. I’ve played here before and it’s a fantastic stadium with great fans. You could say all that about Sunderland as well, but I just thought that with the way they were going and what George said about me and what he thinks he can get out of me I think I feel the same as him so I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with him and the lads here as well.
FM: You scored with a header against Derby at Sunderland last season.
TS: I didn’t play in the 1 all draw at Pride Park earlier in the season but I did play at the Stadium of Light, and to be honest I thought in the second half Derby came out and could almost have got a 2 –2 draw out of it in the end after we were quite comfortable. I know the ability they have got in the squad and they have some young gifted players and some good experience as well. There’s a pretty good blend in the team and I’m sure we can do better than last season.
FM: Presumably pretty similar to Sunderland in that blend?
TS: Definitely Sunderland had that and off and on it worked well throughout the season. You need a good blend, and from what George told me we have that here.
FM: George also said that you had unfulfilled potential. You are only 24 so you could fulfill that potential here.
TS: Yes that’s the plan. I definitely feel as if I have had some good seasons and some not so good ones. I think it will be down to working hard on the training ground. George knows this and I know this. So I am going to work hard, and I am looking forward to the progress that we can make together