Forgotten Premier League star joins League One promotion chasers Derby on free transfer after three weeks unemployed

PROMOTION chasers Derby County have signed veteran striker Dwight Gayle until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old was a free agent after leaving Stoke City when the transfer window closed at the start of this month.

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Dwight Gayle has joined Derby on a free transfer[/caption]

Rams boss Paul Warne has added him to his squad in the hope that he will supply the goals which will earn Derby promotion to the Championship.

Gayle started out in the Arsenal academy.

But he cut his teeth at Dagenham & Redbridge before his goals for Peterborough earned him a move to Crystal Palace in 2013.

The former Eagles, Newcastle United and West Brom striker has bagged 147 goals in 389 career appearances.

Of those, 34 strikes came for the Magpies during his six-year stay at St James’ Park.

Despite being a regular starter for Stoke City last season, former FA Cup finalist Gayle fell out of favour under Stephen Schumacher.

He only made ten league appearances for the Potters this season.

Gayle’s last appearance for Stoke was on January 1 in the goalless draw at home to Ipswich Town.

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Derby currently sit second in League One.

They are six points off leaders Portsmouth having played a match less.

However, Bolton are hot on their heels in third, three points behind Derby with two games in hand.

Peterborough are the division’s top scorers.

But the addition of Gayle could change things as Derby try and secure a return to the second tier following their 2022 relegation under Wayne Rooney.