Liverpool Protégé Relishing First-Team Chance

Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom has joined Championship side Derby County on a season-long loan.

The England Under-21 captain has made three appearances for The Reds this season but the form of new signings Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho and the presence of Daniel Agger has restriced Wisdom's appearances.

But he will garner added experience while on loan with Derby under the guidance of former England manager Steve McClaren, whose side are unbeaten since he replaced Nigel Clough as boss at the start of the month.

"Andre is a very good and a promising player who we're delighted to welcome to Derby County," he said.

"Liverpool obviously think a lot of him but he's at the stage of his development where he needs to play some first-team games, and we're delighted they see Derby as the place to do that.

"We've had a few injuries in defence of late and Andre will bring extra qualities as well as more competition for places, which is always welcome."

The 20-year old let slip the deal had been completed on Monday when he wrote on Twitter: "Can't wait to start at Derby."

Brendan Rodgers' first campaign at Liverpool represented Wisdom's breakthrough season at Anfield, making 20 starts in all competitions, 12 of which came in the Premier League as the club finished seventh.

Rodgers signed two centre-backs in the summer to offset the retirement of Jamie Carragher but Glen Johnson's ankle injury has handed Wisdom opportunities at full back.

Gareth Southgate awarded Wisdom the captaincy of the England Under-21's upon his appointment but the Liverpool man was sent off against Finland in September and is currently serving a four-game international ban.

Wisdom will face competition from experienced centre-back pair Kieron Freeman and Richard Keogh who - despite Derby's recent improvement - have spearheaded the fourth worst defence in the second tier this season.