Pride Park Shake‑Up: Nine Rams Poised to Walk Free in 2025 Without New Deals
Derby County brace for a major summer exodus: **nine first‑team regulars** face contract expiry in June 2025, and unless rapid decisions are made, they could all leave **on free transfers**. With limited funds and pressure to rebuild, the Rams are at a crossroads—and fans are bracing for heartbreak.
### Contracts Due to Expire: The Uncertain Futures
The players whose deals run out include **Curtis Nelson**, **Kane Wilson**, **Craig Forsyth**, **Tom Barkhuizen**, **James Collins**, **Conor Washington**, **Sonny Bradley**, **Tyrese Fornah**, **Liam Thompson**, and academy goalkeeper **Rohan Luthra**. While Derby has exercised contract extensions or renewals for a couple, most remain in limbo as June approaches. ([Derby County News][1])
### Central Defender Curtis Nelson: A Star at Risk of Walking Away
Nelson, Derby’s defender of the season in their League One promotion campaign, is widely expected to depart when his deal expires. Despite being a defensive rock, Derby’s financial constraints have put his future in doubt. ([Football League World][2], [Derby County News][3])
### Rising Star Kane Wilson: Pacy and Promising—But Not Secured
Signed from Bristol City in 2023, Wilson showcased versatility across right-back and wing roles. Yet injuries and strong competition mean his contract is unlikely to be renewed, leaving fans fearing a blow in the right flank areas. ([Football League World][2], [Football League World][4], [upchelsea][5])
### Long-Serving Craig Forsyth & Winger Tom Barkhuizen: Time to Move On
Veteran left-back Forsyth, a fixture since 2013, and winger Barkhuizen—whose impact decreased in the Championship—both face uncertain futures, with the club offering limited plans for extending their terms. ([The72 – Football League News][6])
### Midfield & Striking Departures: Collins, Washington, Fornah & Bradley
Striker James Collins: once Derby’s reliable back-up forward, failed to find the net in 2024‑25 and has already departed on a free, joining Lincoln City in January. ([Wikipedia][7])
Conor Washington, Sonny Bradley and Tyrese Fornah similarly face release—injury and limited game time painting them out of long-term plans. ([Football League World][8])
### Academy Graduate Liam Thompson & Prospect Rohan Luthra
Thompson, homegrown and energetic, had his contract triggered into June 2025, but as yet has not secured an extension. Goalkeeper Luthra—the third-choice option all season—appears unlikely to stay either. ([Football League World][4])
### Why This Matters
Derby appear to be heading toward a summer of seismic transformation. They have confirmed that players like **Nelson, Wilson, and Thompson** will not stay beyond June unless fresh deals are offered—spurring concerns among fans of destabilizing departures. ([upchelsea][5])
With a cautious net spend of **£0** in summer 2025 transfers, financial prudence is clear—but the risk of mass exits looms large. Derby’s squad may soon look unrecognizable. ([Sports Mole][9])
### What It Could Mean for 2025/26
New boss John Eustace, who joined the club in early 2025, faces the task of rebuilding a Championship-calibre squad from scratch—with minimal budget. The arrival of several free transfers in June suggests Derby are preparing for wholesale change. ([The72 – Football League News][6])
Fans might soon wave goodbye to beloved figures like **Curtis Nelson** and **Craig Forsyth**, while younger players like **Thompson** may depart to seek consistent football elsewhere. If contract talks stall, Derby risk seeing promotion heroes walk away for nothing.
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### Why This Will Trend 🔥
* **High stakes drama**: a potential team door-clearing makes for sensational headlines.
* **Emotional departure stories**: fans emotionally invested in the likes of Nelson, Wilson, and Forsyth.
* **Club identity shake-up**: Derby’s identity is built on loyalty—what happens when it’s gone?
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### Final Thought
As contracts expire and squad bonds fracture, Pride Park faces a pivotal summer. Will Derby reignite with fresh faces—or unravel as their veterans walk free? The coming weeks will answer all—and fans everywhere will be watching.
