Why Rhian Brewster has joined Derby County after Sheffield United exit - it was a "no-brainer" decision | OneFootball

Rhian Brewster has opened up on his decision to join Derby County after leaving Sheffield United.

New Derby County signing Rhian Brewster has claimed the opportunity to join the club was too good to turn down after his departure from Sheffield United.

After scoring 11 goals in 22 games during a prolific loan spell at Swansea City in the second half of the 2019-20 season, Brewster became Sheffield United's record signing when he made the move from Liverpool in a deal worth up to £23.5 million in October 2020.

However, Brewster was unable to reach anywhere near the same heights during an injury-disrupted five-year spell at Bramall Lane, although he did score four goals and provide three assists in 42 games last season as the Blades finished third in the Championship before losing to Sunderland in the play-off final.

After his representatives turned down an initial proposal from United back in January, the South Yorkshire outfit are believed to have left a contract offer on the table for Brewster throughout the summer, but manager Ruben Selles admitted last month that he was preparing for life without the 25-year-old.

Brewster's time with the Blades has now officially come to an end after he joined Derby on a free transfer, and he is the Rams' eighth new signing of what has been a busy summer after the arrivals of Richard O'Donnell, Danny Batth, Owen Beck, David Ozoh, Andreas Weimann, Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang.

Rhian Brewster opens up on decision to leave Sheffield United for Derby County

After his move to Pride Park was confirmed on Friday morning, Brewster revealed it was an easy decision to join Derby after leaving Sheffield United, and he claimed that conversations with head coach John Eustace helped to sell the club's exciting project to him.

"I'm very happy and very delighted to join this great club. It's been busy but after speaking to all the boys and the manager and stuff like that, it was a no-brainer. I feel this is a big opportunity for me - and one I had to grab with two hands. Hopefully, I can show that this year," Brewster told the club's official website.

"I know Ben Osborn from being at Sheffield United and also Kane Wilson through playing with England at youth level.

"For me, the project that John Eustace has set out, for me, was a no-brainer to be involved with. It sounded really good and is something that I want to be a part of, heading to bigger and better things with this club.

"There is so much more for me to do - I've got a point to prove. I feel like I can always get better, no matter how old you are. There are always things to learn. I believe that will happen here with the manager, staff and players alongside helping me along the way.

"I'm very, very excited. I just want to train with the boys and head straight in. There are exciting times ahead, for sure."

Derby have already made a number of statement signings this summer, and the arrival of Brewster is another eye-catching deal.

Brewster had a poor goalscoring record during his time at Sheffield United, so the Rams have taken something of a risk in bringing the forward to the club, and given that he was estimated to be on £35,000-a-week at Bramall Lane, according to Capology, he will likely have been offered a similarly high salary at Pride Park.

However, convincing Brewster to leave a club that finished third last season for a club that only narrowly avoided relegation is a big coup for Derby, and if Eustace can get the best out of him, he could prove to be an incredibly strong addition.