Derby County should lean on advantage to sign Sheffield United cast-off despite Nottingham Forest history: View | OneFootball

Ben Osborn is set to leave Sheffield United at the end of his contract this summer, after a one-year extension was not taken up by the club, according to Alan Nixon.

The 29-year-old joined the Blades in 2019, before making 115 league appearances in red and white. However, the Derby-born wing-back is now expected to leave the relegated Premier League side for pastures new, and Derby County should be one club looking closely at him.

Despite supporting the Rams throughout his childhood, Osborn started his career at local rivals Nottingham Forest. He made 212 Championship appearances for the Reds, scoring 15 goals and helping out with 30 assists - famously netting the winner against Derby in January 2015, his first senior goal.

He was signed by Chris Wilder on a three-year deal ahead of the Blades' 2019/20 Premier League campaign, helping the club to a ninth place finish in their first season back in the top flight since 2007. He was also part of the Sheffield United team that were promoted from the Championship in 2023, finishing second behind Burnley.

Derby County are in need of options at full-back

With the 2024/25 Championship season looming, Paul Warne's Derby are in need of strengthening to survive in their first year after promotion from League One.

Although the Rams have cover at left-back already, they are still yet to come to an agreement with Louie Sibley, 22, over his future at the club. The academy graduate found a new lease of life at left wing-back under Warne, after breaking into the side as an attacking midfielder in 2020.

Craig Forsyth, 35, has been a key part of the team ever since joining in 2013. However, his time in black and white has been hampered by injuries - particularly over the course of last season. Forsyth missed the majority of the back-half of the year due to a calf injury, and could find it hard to find consistency ahead of the new campaign.

The Rams are blessed with a third left-back, Callum Elder. However, the 29-year-old also struggled with fitness as he helped his side to promotion. He was sidelined at the start of the season with a hernia, before two separate injuries nearly ended his season prematurely.

Derby need to reinforce their left full-back/wing-back options. A lack of consistency could hamper their chances of succeeding in the Championship next season, and a player such as Osborn can offer that.

What Osborn can bring to Derby

At 29, the ex-Forest star is closer to the end of his career than the start. Nevertheless, he still has the same determination and work-rate that caught the eye of caretaker manager Gary Brazil in 2014.

His versatility is also a key factor in his game, being able to play anywhere along the left-hand side, and he can also be deployed as a central midfielder when required. His wealth of experience in the two top tiers of English football makes him a highly attractive target for any Championship club, and he can be called upon to help in any situation.

Osborn made 24 appearances as Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League last time out, but he still has the ability to become a focal point in Derby's bid for safety and potentially win over the fans that he was a part of all those years ago, shifting to one side those Forest links.