Reggae Boy Morrison calls time on Derby stint
LONDON, England (CMC) — Ravel Morrison is looking for a new club after leaving English club Derby County as a free agent at the end of his one-year contract.
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder joined Derby last August and went on to appear 38 times across the 2021/22 campaign. But the club were docked 21 points — nine after admitting breaches of English Football League accounting rules as well as 12 for entering administration in September — and were later relegated to League One.
Morrison, who made his debut for Jamaica in 2020, scored four times in all competitions for Derby, including a stunning brace in the 2-0 home win over Barnsley in March.
Last month, Morrison scored with a powerful free kick from almost 25 yards out as Jamaica defeated Suriname 3-1 in a Concacaf Nations League match in Kingston.
The midfielder, who began his career at Manchester United before joining West Ham United in 2012, made the switch to Pride Park on a free transfer last summer from Dutch club ADO Den Haag.
Taking to his social media account to communicate his departure from the club, Morrison said: “Thank you, Derby County, all the players, staff and fans for making me feel at home. [It] was a season full of ups and downs, but [it] was a real honour to be part of such a wonderful club,” the Jamaica international wrote.
“I wish everyone at the club success moving forward.”
Manager Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United, has also left the club.
Two players of Jamaican descent are also on the move in England.
Douglas James-Taylor, a 20-year-old forward, has joined League Two side Walsall from Stoke City on a season-long loan.
James-Taylor joined the Potters from Salford City in the summer of 2020 but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Championship club. He finished last season on loan in National League North with AFC Fylde.
League Two side Sutton United have signed striker Kwame Thomas on a free transfer.
Thomas, 26, scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for Wrexham after joining the Welsh club in 2020.
Thomas played four times for Sutton while on loan from Coventry City in 2017.
