An aerial view of Derby County's Pride Park
Photo by Arne Müseler, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped).
An aerial view of Derby County's Pride Park
Derby County gave Harrison Armstrong his first shot at regular senior football, and the midfielder’s star has risen impressively ever since.
Derby County were in an uphill battle against relegation when they signed Harrison Armstrong on loan from Everton in January 2025. The teenage midfielder had tasted some senior action with his parent club, but the move to DCFC marked his first shot at regular first-team football.
And, Armstrong took the step up in his stride brilliantly, starring in midfield as the Rams pushed to safety under the lead of John Eustace. He was regularly deployed in a midfield trio alongside club captain Ebou Adams and academy graduate Liam Thompson.
An aerial view of Derby County's Pride Park
Photo by Arne Müseler, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Pride Park was where Armstrong really announced himself as one to watch, and it has only been upwards since for the midfielder as he thrives with Everton and his transfer value soars.
Harrison Armstrong’s upward trajectory continues after Derby County loan breakthrough
After taking a couple of weeks to settle with appearances off the bench, Armstrong would start all of the last 12 games of the 2024/25 Championship season, playing all 90 minutes in 10 consecutive games too.
There was talk of a second loan to Derby County, but the Liverpudlian midfielder moved to Preston North End instead. Armstrong was a hit there as well, scoring once and providing one assist in 17 appearances before he was recalled for a place in the Toffees’ first-team.
Harrison Armstrong’s Everton stats
Games Goals Assists
33 0 4
Armstrong would make 13 Premier League appearances for David Moyes’ side in their first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, stepping up well and cementing himself as one of England’s brightest prospects in central midfield. Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest struck a deal worth up to £40m to sign the former DCFC loan man, but Everton U-turned on their initial decision after fan fury and kept him.
Just as well, as Armstrong has since locked down a starting spot in the top flight. Moyes has started the midfielder, who is still just 19, in all 10 Premier League games to date.
His form is keeping the likes of former Championship star Hayden Hackney and ex-Brentford captain Christian Norgaard out of the starting lineup.
The Verdict: Armstrong’s Derby County, Preston North End spells a reminder of the EFL’s importance in player development
Armstrong’s swift rise from the Everton academy to the first-team can be largely credited to Derby County. In a high-pressure relegation fight, they signed an 18-year-old midfielder and entrusted him with a role in their battle.
Preston North End duly gave him another stage to display his talents, before it became clear he was ready for a senior role in the Premier League.
At only 19, the best is yet to come from Armstrong – both at Everton and potentially beyond. His success is another shining example of how the EFL can platform young prospects who are waiting for opportunities in the Premier League.
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James Ray is The72's Lead Editor and has written for the site since 2018. Based in Northamptonshire, he graduated from the University of Lincoln with a degree in Sports Business Management and has featured on talkSPORT and Mirror Football amongst other shows and sites. Although a lifelong Newcastle United fan, James is a long-time EFL journalist and an avid follower of the divisions, regularly attending fixtures in a professional sphere and as a neutral fan. For contact, please email james@the72.co.uk or reach out on Twitter (@jamesrray72).
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