'Deal done': Millwall weekend opponents sign ex Leeds United and Rangers bagsman

Derby County have confirmed the signing of experienced striker Kemar Roofe as a free agent ahead of this weekend's Championship clash with Millwall at Pride Park.

The Rams are in a relegation dogfight and find themselves 22nd in the second tier without a win in 10 outings. John Eustace has taken over from Paul Warne but was on the receiving end of a 4-0 Valentine's Day defeat from QPR in his first match in charge.

Eustace will look for his first win against Millwall on Saturday and could call upon the services of Roofe. The 32-year-old hasn't played since leaving Rangers last summer but comes with a goalscoring pedigree.

The striker scored 38 times in 102 appearances for the Glasgow giants between 2020 and 2024. He also has 29 Championship goals to his name thanks to time at Leeds United between 2016 and 2019.

Derby County confirm free agent signing

Roofe won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers in 2021 and was a Europa League runner-up in 2022. Bringing European experience to the Championship battle for survival, it's a head-turning coup for Derby County, who have scored just 33 league goals so far this term.

The signing was confirmed by the club on Thursday afternoon. A statement read: "Derby County have completed the signing of experienced striker Kemar Roofe. The 32-year-old arrives at Pride Park Stadium on a deal until the end of the 2024/25 season.

"Roofe, a free agent following the conclusion of his four-year spell at Scottish Premiership side Rangers last year, adds further depth to John Eustace’s attacking options for the remainder of the campaign."

Speaking to the Derby County media channel, Roofe said: "It's one I wasn't expecting at all. I won't get into the meat of it, because it's all complicated. The final part is the most important and I'm here now and excited to get going.

"It's needed mental strength to get through [time as a free agent] what I needed to get through and also have the drive and focus to stay fit and keep working on myself, running every day and doing my gym every day until the opportunity came along.

"I'm hopefully a better player [than last Championship spell]. I've got more experience and every season I try and learn something new. Derby is a massive club, even coming to the training ground it speaks volumes. The new gaffer as well was a major influence to coming here."

Kemar Roofe record against Millwall

It remains to be seen whether Eustace deploys Roofe against Millwall straight away, but the player had already been training with the squad before his signing was made official. Lars-Jorgen Salvesen has been leading the line for Derby County since his arrival in January but has just one goal in six outings.

Roofe does have a strong record against Millwall, facing the Lions four times during his career. Two of those matches came while with Leeds United and the other two while at Oxford United.

The striker scored and assisted for Leeds United in a 3-4 defeat to Millwall at Elland Road in 2018. He also bagged a brace for Oxford United in the first leg of the EFL Trophy in 2016 at The Den.

In other news, these are seven players QPR and Millwall could look to sign for free this summer ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.