Sky Bet Championship club Derby County moved quickly this evening to complete the signing of journeyman striker David Nugent, who arrives at the Rams to bolster their chances of winning promotion to the Premier League this season.

Rams boss Steve McClaren has bolstered his ranks by securing the services of the talisman, with Nugent arriving in the East Midlands for a fee of £2.5 million after falling down the pecking order at Middlesbrough.

The 31-year-old has penned terms with the Rams for two-and-a-half years and he will go straight into the squad for Friday night’s crunch game at Leeds United.

Derby already boast a glut of star players and Nugent will only serve to add to their already decent chances of reaching the promised land of the Premier League for next season.

Following the impressive signing by Derby, Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at two pros and two cons to the Rams sealing a deal for David Nugent.

Pro – Promotion specialist

The veteran striker boasts two Championship promotions on his CV and he will be hoping to make it three during his time with Derby County.

His presence in the dressing room could be vital, particularly given that several of the current crop of Rams players failed in their quest to gain promotion through the play-offs last season after narrowly losing out to Hull City in the semi-final.

During his time at Leicester City, Nugent was a vital component in the team that won the Championship at a canter during the 2013/14 campaign and Steve McClaren will be hoping for a similar impact over the next few months.

Pro – Striker priority for Rams

One area that certainly needed strengthening at Derby this month was in attack, where most of the emphasis for goals had been placed upon the shoulders of Darren Bent in recent weeks.

Bent isn’t getting any younger and some competition in the squad will be useful during the coming months, as the Rams look to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Nugent knows where the net is and his signing sees the Rams secure the services of a mightily fine striker at Championship level.

Con – Nugent needs partner in crime

Most of his career Nugent has played as part of a striker partnership but that doesn’t look likely to happen during his time at Derby County.

Steve McClaren prefers to play two high wingers with a lone striker and it remains to be seen whether Nugent can adapt to such a strategy with relative ease.

At 31-years-old Nugent isn’t really at the stage of his career to be adapting to a new role and that is something that the Rams’ coaching staff will need to manage carefully.

Con – Talisman is in the twilight of his career

Nugent’s style is explosive and the striker will never be accused of being work shy, after displaying a workmanlike attitude throughout his career.

Given his style, it is likely that as Nugent continues to age he will naturally lose a yard or two of pace and it remains to be seen just how wise a two-and-a-half-year contract is from Derby.

Nugent could do the business in front of goal this season and get the Rams promoted, but given his age he could find himself on the scrap heap once more, just like he did at Leicester and Middlesbrough following their promotions to the Premier League.

Derby County fans, what do you think to the signing of Nugent? Will he fire you to promotion this season? Who else should the club be looking to sign? Let us know in the comments below!!!