Kayden Jackson revealed that a timely text message from Derby County head coach Paul Warne convinced him he was destined to join the Rams. The 30-year-old signed a two-year deal with the East Midlands club earlier in July, following his release from Ipswich Town, who had recently secured promotion to the Premier League.
Derby initially reached out to Jackson on the same day that Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna informed him he would be leaving the club after six years and two consecutive promotions with the Tractor Boys.
“The very same day I found out I was leaving Ipswich, the boss [Warne] messaged me,” Jackson told BBC Radio Derby. “I don’t think he knew I had meetings that day; it was strange. I believe certain things are meant to be, and that felt like a sign.”
Jackson, who netted three goals in 33 appearances last season as Ipswich finished second in the table, anticipated the news that he wouldn’t be staying with the Suffolk side in the Premier League.
“I was 50-50 in my mind,” Jackson said. “I was ready to move on and start fresh with a new club. When a club goes up, sometimes people are no longer needed. The boss [McKenna] was honest about the club bringing in new players, and I appreciated his honesty.”
Having scored 28 goals in 199 appearances for Ipswich, Jackson was eager to join a team with a similar approach and ambition. Derby, like Ipswich the previous year, finished second in League One last season to earn promotion to the Championship.
“It was incredible to be part of Ipswich’s promotion,” Jackson reflected. “Our back-to-back promotions were no fluke; it was the result of hard work. Coming into Derby, I can see the boys have worked incredibly hard over the last 18 months. Being part of another hardworking group with big belief in themselves was key for me.”
