Derby may have already made their best signing this summer in keeping Curtis Davies

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Derby County defender Curtis Davies has signed a new contract at the club.

Derby County defender Curtis Davies has extended his contract at the club until the end of the 2019/2020 campaign, reported by dcfc.co.uk, ending any speculation that he could leave this summer.

The 33-year-old has been an influential figure since joining the Rams in a bargain deal from Hull City and extending his stay at Pride Park may well be new boss Frank Lampard’s best signing this summer.

Davies joined Derby last summer under then boss Gary Rowett, and in his first season at the club he played a pivotal role in helping the side reach the playoffs – captaining the team towards the end.

No Championship defender made more successful clearances than Davies last season, while his average of 2.8 interceptions and 1.6 tackles per league encounter (Whoscored) was among the highest outside the Premier League.

Lampard has already spoken of his delight at the news, telling the club’s website: Curtis is hugely important from my point of view as a manager.

“He’s an experienced player and is someone who has had many years at the top. He’s got Premier League experience and it’s clear that he had a fantastic first year at the club last season.”

Lampard has a busy summer ahead of him as he looks to shape Derby’s squad, but it’s unlikely he will be able to bring in such an influential figure as Davies, with funds seemingly limited due to Financial Fair Play.

Following Rowett’s move to Championship rivals Stoke City, there has been speculation of Davies potentially moving to the Britannia Stadium with the Mirror recently reporting a failed £1.5 million bid for the defender.

Derby wouldn’t want to lose their outstanding centre-back, therefore seeing him commit his future to the east Midlands club is excellent news and a welcome relief for the club’s supporters.

Davies’ fantastic campaign last term saw him nominated for the PFA Sky Bet Championship Player of the Year award, and the Pride Park club will be hoping he can continue in such vein of form under Lampard’s guidance.