Midfielder Tonge Joins The Rams

Derby have secured the loan signing of Michael Tonge from Stoke City until the end of the season.

Tonge has struggled to break into the Stoke team since moving to The Potters from Sheffield United after well over 200 appearances for The Blades. Last year Tonge was on loan at Preston and can do a job in this division.

With the conclusion of Lee Johnson’s loan deal and his subsequent return to Bristol City, Tonge could be in line to play his first Rams game against his former club, Sheffield United, on Saturday in Derby’s next fixture.

Nigel Clough was delighted with the capture of Tonge, telling the official club website: ‘Michael is a player with a proven pedigree and will give us added quality in the ranks. He loves to get on the ball and make things happen; he also vastly experienced at this level and above.’

This deal concluded The Rams’ January window business missing out on Millwall winger Dave Martin. Martin is out of contract in the summer and it is likely that Nigel Clough will pursue a deal for the player in the close-season.