It’s a done deal: Derby County hit the jackpot by securing Coventry City’s star, beating out Cardiff City and Leeds United.

Richard Keogh had established himself as a key player in the EFL over six years before joining Coventry City, but it was his transfer to Derby County that truly showcased his talent.

Starting his career at Stoke City, Keogh moved to Bristol City after just one full season of senior football in 2005. During his three years at Bristol, he spent most of his time on loan, playing for Wycombe Wanderers, Huddersfield Town, Cheltenham Town, and Carlisle United, the latter signing him permanently when he was 22. He spent the next two seasons there.

Keogh’s performances at Carlisle caught Coventry City’s attention, leading to his transfer to the Midlands club in 2010. He made 95 appearances for Coventry in all competitions at the Ricoh Arena. His form with the Sky Blues garnered interest from several clubs, including Cardiff City, Leeds United, and Derby County.

With Coventry relegated to League One at the end of the 2011/12 season, Championship clubs started eyeing their two-time Player of the Season. Cardiff balked at Keogh’s reported £12,000-a-week wage demands, and Leeds, under Neil Warnock, hesitated due to potential takeover uncertainties. Keogh recalled in an interview with The Athletic that he was willing to talk to Leeds if they had made a bid, but one never materialized. Consequently, Derby County secured his transfer for over £1 million, a move that proved beneficial for both player and club.

Keogh’s first season at Derby was impressive, earning him the Jack Stamps Trophy (Derby’s Player of the Season). He played a crucial role in helping the team reach their first play-off final since their relegation from the Premier League in 2007/08. However, a last-minute error in the 2014 final against QPR allowed Bobby Zamora to score, denying Derby promotion.

Over the next five seasons, Derby reached the Championship Play-Offs three more times, with Keogh playing in all but nine of Derby’s next 230 league games. He won the Rams’ Player of the Year award again in 2015/16, solidifying his status as one of the club’s most consistent and significant players in the 21st century, even though Derby’s promotion efforts ultimately fell short.