Journalist Alan Nixon, who has strong connections to Derby, tweeted on Sunday night that the club were in serious discussions to try and bring back their former star Jake Buxton.
The 32-year-old defender previously spent 7 years with the Rams and made 139 appearances, becoming a cult hero in the process. The cavalier and never say die style of Buxton could be exactly what Rams’ manager Gary Rowett is looking for as he looks to rebuild his squad to once again challenge for promotion from the Championship after missing out on the play-off’s last campaign.
Buxton has himself said he would like a return to the area, citing being closer to his family in Nottinghamshire as his reason for leaving Wigan. He spent only a year of his 3 year contract at Wigan and has reportedly held discussions with Rowett about a player/coach role.
Derby aren’t the first club to be linked with Buxton since his departure from the Latics. Notts County chairman Alan Hardy tweeted that he was to hold talks with the centre half, but he also added that he held out little hope of striking a deal as Buxton wanted to play Championship football.
Burton Albion, another of Buxton’s old clubs, have also been mentioned as a potential destination. It was reported by The Sun in May that the Brewers were to secure his signature but this never came to fruition.
As Buxton approaches the end of his career and looks to build for life after playing, a move back to Derby to end his playing days and to begin life as a coach looks to be a good move for himself and the club.
