Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Newcastle United flop Jeff Hendrick has ended his footballing sabbatical to sign for Derby County.
Despite not featuring for the Magpies since December 2021, the Irishman only left the club last summer. The final years of his Newcastle contract were spent on loan at Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.
Hendrick arrived at St James’ Park during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Steve Bruce given the transfer reins ahead of the 2020-21 campaign. A contingent of Premier League players joined, including Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis.
Wilson is the only player from that window to have made a lasting impression at St James’ Park and remains in Eddie Howe’s current squad. Newcastle lured Hendrick to Tyneside on a free transfer and he marked his debut with a goal and an assist against West Ham United.
NewcastleWorld: Essential is our weekly newsletter, delivering the city’s best bits to you inbox - sign up here
However, that proved as good as it got for the versatile midfielder, who went on to make just 27 appearances for the Magpies over four years. Interestingly, he did score the final goal of the Mike Ashley era in a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Eight months after leaving Newcastle, Hendrick is now back in the game at 33 having signed for Derby. The Rams sit rock bottom of the Championship and six points adrift from safety.
"I turned some things down over the summer and January,” he told the Derby website. “They just didn't feel right to me, didn't excite me. I'm not fully fit. You can't be unless you're training and playing games but the main thing was getting in amongst the group and getting sharper.
"I'm an older player now, so maybe I can bring a bit of experience to help players in any way I can. If I didn't think I could bring something, there'd be no point in me coming here and being away from my family."