Derby County Sign 17-Goal German Attacker
Derby County have completed the signing of Filip Bilbija following the expiry of his contract with Bundesliga newcomers SC Paderborn.
The 26-year-old has agreed a three-year contract and has already linked up with John Eustace’s squad during their training camp in Austria.
Bilbija arrives after producing the most prolific campaign of his career, scoring 17 times in all competitions as Paderborn secured promotion from Germany’s second tier. He found the net 15 times in 29 league appearances, having scored nine goals in each of the previous two seasons.
One of his most important contributions came during the promotion play-off against Wolfsburg. Bilbija scored Paderborn’s equaliser in the second leg before his side completed the job in extra time.
The Berlin-born attacker began his senior career with Ingolstadt, making 86 league appearances and scoring 12 goals before joining Hamburg in 2022. His opportunities there were limited, and he moved to Paderborn after a single season.
Bilbija subsequently registered 35 goals in 98 appearances across all competitions for Paderborn. Although often described as an attacking midfielder, his 6ft 2in frame and versatility allow him to operate in several positions across the forward line.
He had reportedly attracted interest from Werder Bremen while approaching the end of his contract, but Derby have instead brought him to the Championship without paying a transfer fee.
The new arrival provides Derby with another source of goals as they prepare for the new campaign, while the length of his contract gives the Rams an opportunity to benefit from a player entering what should be the peak years of his career.
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