Birmingham City and Derby County may have an eye on Slovakia at Euro 2024 with signing in mind: View | OneFootball

The Slovakian is a free agent after his Fulham contact was not renewed.

Birmingham City and Derby County may just find themselves with a further interest in this year's European Championship, as both clubs aim for a new goalkeeper this summer.

The two teams, who swapped placed with each other at the end of last season as Blues were relegated to League One while the Rams won promotion back to the Championship, could find themselves battling it out for the signature of Marek Rodák, after his release from Fulham.

Although the 27-year-old is playing back-up to Newcastle United's Martin Dúbravka for Slovakia, who himself has been linked with a move to Celtic, the experience gained at a major international tournament could be the deciding factor on a move being made for him.

Birmingham's John Ruddy is yet to sign a new deal with the club after two years at the Midlands outfit, while Neil Etheridge left St. Andrew's after the expiration of his contract.

Derby find themselves in a similar position, with League One Golden Glove winner Joe Wildsmith and third-choice Scott Loach both leaving as free agents this summer, leaving Paul Warne with only Josh Vickers as an option.

What Marek Rodák can bring to Birmingham City and Derby County

Despite watching on from the sideline for the majority of the 2023/24 campaign, Rodák has played a major part in Fulham's recent history since joining the Cottagers at the age of 16 back in 2013.

The Slovakian goalkeeper has two Championship promotions to his name with his now former employers, while he helped potential future manager Warne to play-off success in League One in the 2017/18 season with Rotherham United.

This experience could be key for both teams, with Birmingham looking to bounce straight back to the Championship in their first term in the third tier for nearly 30 years. Derby, on the other hand, will be looking for survival after their promotion last time out.

Rodák has played a part at both ends of the table in his career and despite suffering relegation with Rotherham on his return to the Millers in 2018/19, he kept six clean sheets.

At 6ft 4in, the Slovakian could play a commanding role in the box for either side, particularly for the Rams who boasted the best defensive record in League One last season, conceding just 37 goals.

At 27, he still has plenty of years to improve and solidify his place as the number one at both clubs, with Birmingham looking to lower the age of their goalkeeping team this season. Blues used both John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge in the Championship last year, with Ruddy now 37 while Etheridge is 34.

Marek Rodák has his own decision to make following Euro 2024

Euro 2024 gives Rodák time to make the correct move for the next stage of his career. He has only played for one club permanently throughout his time as a footballer so far, but he has had the chance to play in all of England's top four divisions.

Nevertheless, he may be swayed by the project at Birmingham. Although Blues were relegated on the final day of the Championship in May, their American owners are ambitious and are willing to do anything to get the club back to the Premier League eventually.

New manager Chris Davies is hoping for an instant impact in the the Midlands and will not want to leave the club languishing in the third tier for multiple years, like Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and Sunderland have done.

Meanwhile, Derby are building their own project. After administration savaged the club three years ago, the Rams will start the new season back in the Championship looking to make an impact on the division, according to CEO Stephen Pearce back in March, who said: “We’re not there to make up the numbers, we want to compete, and we will make sure there is a competitive wage bill and squad to do that.”

Rodák has a tough decision to make this summer, and with the potential of adding to his 22 Slovakian caps from the start of the tournament, he may just flare interest from other sectors.

That could include other countries across Europe, but if Rodák wants to stay in England, then there could be other clubs aside from Birmingham and Derby that take a look at his potential services.