Former Hibernian defender Efe Ambrose is training with Championship play-off hopefuls Derby County.
Frank Lampard has spoke warmly about Efe Ambrose as the centre-back bids to earn a contract at Derby County.
The 30-year-old has been without a club since invoking a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Hibernian in January. And, despite interest from Championship clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers (Daily Record, 10.54am), Derby are in pole position to snap up the Nigerian international.
Ambrose has been training with Derby over the last week and, in quotes reported by The Record, manager Lampard has admitted that he is expecting good things from the former Celtic defender at Pride Park.
“I have found him very nice, very good, very friendly, so as a character I think he would be great for us anyway,” said the former Chelsea and England midfielder.
“I watched a lot of him, I know his strengths. He is a tall defender, very committed, wants to play on the ball, and quick.
“It is just about making sure about his level of fitness and that both sides are happy it is going to work.
“Now we are talking about Efe Ambrose, who hasn’t been playing, so that will be a challenge but if it feels a challenge worth taking to improve the squad, I have no fears about doing it.”
Lampard has been open about his desire to bring a new defender to Pride Park, having failed to sign Ipswich Town’s Everton loanee Matthew Pennington on the final day of the January transfer window.
Ambrose, who won the Scottish Premiership title four times with Celtic and shone as Hibs were promoted from the second tier in 2017, should offer plenty of big-game experience if he is handed a contract until the end of the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
