28-08-2025, 10:30
Derby County have completed the signing of midfielder Lewis Travis from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee.
Travis, 27, has signed a four-year deal with the Rams and will wear the number 27 shirt.
He is Derby's 11th signing of the summer having worked with manager John Eustace during his spell at Ewood Park.
"He's a really honest manager," Travis told the official club website., external "Sometimes that's tough to find. I love the way he plays. He's very intense, and he's got his ways.
"Speaking to John Eustace and seeing his massive ambition for the club, the players he's brought in and obviously the facilities here - I was really excited to play in front of the home fans at Pride Park."
Travis came through the Rovers academy and made 273 career appearances, captaining the club since 2022-23.
Blackburn were promoted in 2017-18, his debut season, and he also had a spell on loan at Ipswich Town in 2024, making nine appearances.
Travis started Blackburn's Championship opener against West Brom on August 9 but boss Valerien Ismael revealed a few days later that he wanted to leave the club.
He could make his debut for the Rams in Saturday's Championship encounter at Portman Road.
"To all of the Rovers fans, never did I think when I first signed for the club at 17 I would go onto make over 250 appearances and lead the side on so many occasions," he said in a video posted on the club's official channels., external
"There have been plenty of highs and lows over the past decade, but the good times far outweigh the tough ones and the memories of my time at Ewood will stay with me forever.
"To have the honour of captaining the club is something I will always be immensely grateful for and hugely proud of.
"It is time for a new chapter in my career but Rovers will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to support from afar."
Derby County have completed the signing of Scotland full-back Max Johnston from Sturm Graz on a four-year deal.
The 21-year-old full-back, who made his senior international debut against Greece in March, has joined for an undisclosed fee.
He becomes head coach John Eustace's 12th addition of the summer.
"I'm delighted. Obviously I am buzzing to be here and it was a long time coming. I had to wait a little bit and be patient, but I'm delighted that we've managed to get it over the line," Johnston told the official club website., external
"It was a few weeks ago when I first got the information that Derby were interested. As soon as it came about, I was ready to come here.
"It's a massive club. When people say Derby County, the first thing I think of is the massive fan base that's here and of course the history behind the club as well. I'm ready to go."
Johnston arrives from the Austrian Bundesliga having joined Sturm Graz from boyhood club Motherwell as a 19-year-old.
He won two league titles and the Austrian Cup during his time at the Merkur Arena.
"It was a big move, a brave step, it was something different but I think that sums me up as a guy and a player but I think that sums me up. I want to try new things and always challenge myself," he added.
"It was a great two seasons in Austria, winning two titles and one cup, but now I'm ready for the challenge at Derby."
In heading for English football, he follows in the footsteps of father Allan who was on the books at Sunderland and Middlesbrough as well as spending loan periods at Birmingham, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday.
"He's delighted. He had a spell in England and played for a few teams in the Championship and he was the first one to tell me how big a club Derby is and he said a lot of great things about it," said Johnston.
Travis, 27, has signed a four-year deal with the Rams and will wear the number 27 shirt.
He is Derby's 11th signing of the summer having worked with manager John Eustace during his spell at Ewood Park.
"He's a really honest manager," Travis told the official club website., external "Sometimes that's tough to find. I love the way he plays. He's very intense, and he's got his ways.
"Speaking to John Eustace and seeing his massive ambition for the club, the players he's brought in and obviously the facilities here - I was really excited to play in front of the home fans at Pride Park."
Travis came through the Rovers academy and made 273 career appearances, captaining the club since 2022-23.
Blackburn were promoted in 2017-18, his debut season, and he also had a spell on loan at Ipswich Town in 2024, making nine appearances.
Travis started Blackburn's Championship opener against West Brom on August 9 but boss Valerien Ismael revealed a few days later that he wanted to leave the club.
He could make his debut for the Rams in Saturday's Championship encounter at Portman Road.
"To all of the Rovers fans, never did I think when I first signed for the club at 17 I would go onto make over 250 appearances and lead the side on so many occasions," he said in a video posted on the club's official channels., external
"There have been plenty of highs and lows over the past decade, but the good times far outweigh the tough ones and the memories of my time at Ewood will stay with me forever.
"To have the honour of captaining the club is something I will always be immensely grateful for and hugely proud of.
"It is time for a new chapter in my career but Rovers will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to support from afar."
Derby County have completed the signing of Scotland full-back Max Johnston from Sturm Graz on a four-year deal.
The 21-year-old full-back, who made his senior international debut against Greece in March, has joined for an undisclosed fee.
He becomes head coach John Eustace's 12th addition of the summer.
"I'm delighted. Obviously I am buzzing to be here and it was a long time coming. I had to wait a little bit and be patient, but I'm delighted that we've managed to get it over the line," Johnston told the official club website., external
"It was a few weeks ago when I first got the information that Derby were interested. As soon as it came about, I was ready to come here.
"It's a massive club. When people say Derby County, the first thing I think of is the massive fan base that's here and of course the history behind the club as well. I'm ready to go."
Johnston arrives from the Austrian Bundesliga having joined Sturm Graz from boyhood club Motherwell as a 19-year-old.
He won two league titles and the Austrian Cup during his time at the Merkur Arena.
"It was a big move, a brave step, it was something different but I think that sums me up as a guy and a player but I think that sums me up. I want to try new things and always challenge myself," he added.
"It was a great two seasons in Austria, winning two titles and one cup, but now I'm ready for the challenge at Derby."
In heading for English football, he follows in the footsteps of father Allan who was on the books at Sunderland and Middlesbrough as well as spending loan periods at Birmingham, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday.
"He's delighted. He had a spell in England and played for a few teams in the Championship and he was the first one to tell me how big a club Derby is and he said a lot of great things about it," said Johnston.
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