It certainly looks like either Jason Shackell or Richard Keogh could be on the way out of DCFC after Gary Rowett yesterday signed defender Curtis Davies from Hull on a 2-year deal with an option for a 3rd.

The fee, believed to be in the vicinity of half a million pounds, secured the experienced and highly regarded 32-year-old, signalling Rowett maybe looking to build from the back.

Jason Shackell experienced injury issues in the last campaign and Richard Keogh was again reliable but widely criticised for brain explosions at critical times in games.

There can be no doubting Keogh’s passion or desire to perform for the Rams but it is unlikely Rowett would keep all 4 Central defenders on the books with either the Captain or Shackell to make way for Davies, keeping Pearce as a capable deputy if required.

Curtis Davies joined the Tigers from Birmingham, having also played for Luton, West Brom, Aston Villa and Leicester. Overall before this latest move to Pride Park, the defender has made over 450 appearances, scoring a total of 26 goals.

In his 4 years at City he made over 120 appearances. He was a massive part of the club’s success in his first 12 months when Hull reached FA Cup final, secured European football and to top it off was named the ‘Player of the Year’.

Despite being relegated during his second season, Davies continued to be a fan favourite with consistent performances and never say die attitude. It was this attitude that helped lift Hull back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

That included many battles with Derby County including the fast finishing Rams play-off campaign that ended in heart break for his new club.

Last season was not as successful for Davies as he battled injury and eventually lost his place all together in the team. Hull fans were not too happy about this as many still felt he was their best option in the heart of defence when fit.

As he looks for a fresh start he has turned to the Rams to reinvigorate his career with Gary Rowett stating that he was by far the best option available, to fill the criteria he has set for his Derby squad.

With Rams fans looking now for the dam wall to break and more signings to be announced soon, this first addition may also signal that there will be as much interest in who will be leaving Derbyshire as there will be in who is joining.

With Rowett setting the bar high for both attitude and fitness, there will no doubt be some Rams players looking over their shoulders, hoping not to be the one who will be shown the door.

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