A League Two side is reportedly close to securing the arrival of experienced forward Martyn Waghorn, who left Derby County this summer as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract despite scoring seven goals as the club secured automatic promotion to the Championship last season.Â
The 34-year-old has amassed over 500 club appearances, scoring 133 goals and providing a further 70 assists and will be a major addition to any side playing in the fourth tier.
From Leicester City to Derby County – Waghorn’s Impressive 16-Year Career Set to Continue
Martyn Waghorn made his senior debut for Sunderland but a successful loan spell at the Foxes highlighted his ability to find the back of the net. He scored 12 goals as Leicester City reached the Championship play-offs in 2009/10 where they were ultimately beaten by Cardiff City on penalties in the semi-final.
The former England under-21 international spent most of his spell at Leicester City after that campaign on loan, but starred for Scottish giants Rangers on their route back to the top flight, winning the Scottish Championship’s Golden Boot with 20 goals in 2015/16. The forward contributed 13 goal involvements in Rangers’ return to the Scottish Premiership and represented the club in Europe before an incredible season with Ipswich Town.
The current Premier League side were playing in the Championship in 2017/18 and were led by the impressive Waghorn, who scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists. He topped the club’s charts that season with 2.4 shots per game and 1.5 key passes per game as the Tractor Boys finished in 12th place.
That excellent campaign convinced Frank Lampard to splash out a reported ÂŁ5 million to sign him from Ipswich Town and he would go on to score 30 times over three seasons. Waghorn had a spell at Coventry City and time on loan at Huddersfield Town but now appears set to continue his career in the fourth tier, a league he has yet to feature in his stellar career.
Injuries Hamper Former Derby County Forward
Despite making just nine starts and a further 15 substitute appearances, Waghorn’s seven League One goals had him third in Derby County’s scoring charts in 2023/24, where they finished second in the third tier to seal promotion. Injuries played a role in his lack of availability but despite a long career, the 24-year-old would be a major asset to a League Two side.
According to Darren Witcoop on X, the player is close to joining an unnamed side in the fourth tier after making an appearance in a PFA Free Agents match. Waghorn featured in a team full of players that had extensive careers in England including Dwight Gayle and Jamal Blackman.
He would undoubtedly score goals at that level if he can remain fit and his work-rate is impressive for a striker whose best days are likely behind him. It may become apparent over the next 24 hours who the player is going to sign for, with the transfer window set to close late on Friday night.