Can Meister emulate Agyemang at Derby?

When Derby County brought in Henrik Meister this summer, they did so with big expectations and an eye on the future, according to the Rams' talent acquisition lead Leigh Bromby.

Meister was signed on a loan deal that includes an option to buy the forward from Pisa, who are back in Italy's second tier after being relegated from Serie A.

In Meister, a 22-year-old Dane who has scored just four goals in two years, Derby's recruitment team see a player capable of emulating Patrick Agyemang – the United States international who became an instant hit with the Rams after arriving for £5.8m from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC in the summer of 2025.

Agyemang's 10 goals in 37 appearances for the Rams last season attracted interest from Leeds United and Crystal Palace, external. However, an Achilles tendon injury ended both his campaign and his hopes of featuring at the summer's World Cup.

Even though the 25-year-old is still out, Bromby was asked by BBC Radio Derby about what succession plan is in place for one of the club's most in-demand and influential players.

And it turns out that Meister has been identified as the possible answer.

"We knew there was a lot of interest in January for Patrick, and we're having a lot of conversations," Bromby said.

"Who are the players that have got the attributes to be able to come into this club and do what Patrick did successfully? And he (Meister) was one of those players.

"Data-wise, you're 100% right [to point out his low strike rate], and that has been challenged.

"There's also a scouting part. So, the scouting part of what we do is to look in real detail at a player.

"Henrik's move to Serie A, it was a really successful start, athletically he hits all the attributes we want, and the way of playing and how we set up. Does he have the goal return? Definitely not. Can he score and create chances for himself? 100%, just like Patrick.

"Is Serie A the fourth best league in the world? Yes. For a 22-year-old to impact at that level is really difficult.

"If you watch his individual actions, if you watch his coaching and the actual attributes that we want from that player, he's got them all. Has he scored the goals that can back that up? No. If he had scored the goals that have backed that up, would Derby County be signing him now? No.

"So is there an opportunity. Is he an exciting player that could potentially be a top, top player and play in the Premier League? 100%."