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Derby County ace turned agent as he ‘hounded’ player over transfer
Curtis Nelson has revealed Derby County striker James Collins “hounded” him to join the Rams this summer.
The 30-year-old defender became the club’s latest summer signing on Friday, arriving at Pride Park on a two-year deal.
And he won’t have any trouble settling into a new dressing room because he already knows three of his new teammates, including Collins, who was keen for Nelson to join Paul Warne’s squad.
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“I know Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, James Collins and I played with Conor Hourihane years ago at Plymouth Argyle and we’ve kept in touch ever since,” said Nelson.
“I’ve spoken to Nat on messenger about the club and was away with James Collins in the summer and he hounded me to sign – so it was an easy sell. He didn’t even need to sell it to me to be fair but it was an easy decision.”
Nelson has already insisted he had no hesitation about dropping down to League One to join Derby, having spent the last four seasons playing in the Championship for Cardiff City and Blackpool, because of the size of the Pride Park club and his belief the Rams can challenge for promotion in the new season.
He also says his experience of playing at Pride Park in opposing teams influenced his decision.
“It was loud every single time! I think it was a full house last time I came here and it was deafening,” he said.
“I remember speaking with the boys after the game and we were all like: ‘imagine playing here every week?’ Little did I know I’d be here so soon after. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the fans and making Pride Park a fortress.”
Derby kick-off the new campaign on home soil against Wigan on August 5, following pre-season matches against Matlock Town, Salford City, Chesterfield and Sheffield United.
And Nelson has been warned that Warne plans to put his players through a tough pre-season to try to make sure they are ready to go full throttle for promotion from the opening day of the campaign.
“I don’t think anyone is ever ready for pre-season and from what I’ve heard it’s not going to be easy,” said Nelson.
“Pre-season is what it is though, it’s massively important to the upcoming season and to get the conditioning and fitness in. I’m as ready as one can be.”
