Derby County have made their fourth signing of the summer after it was announced that Conor Hourihane would be joining the club this afternoon.

The Rams this afternoon confirmed that the Republic of Ireland international had penned a two-year deal at Pride Park.

Speaking in the announcement that confirmed his arrival, Hourihane revealed the key reasons he joined the club.

"I’m 31 now and I was looking for something that was going to excite me and I was going to be a big part of." Hourihane told Derby County club media.

"Fortunately enough for myself, I have played all the way up from League Two to the Premier League so analysing it this summer as a free agent, I was thinking what do I want next and what do I want to achieve and be part of.

"Derby ticked all the boxes.

"Everyone knows the difficulties here over the last couple of years but it’s a fresh start, new takeover and the excitement is here and that’s why I’m here and want to be a part of it."

Conor Hourihane was recently released by Aston Villa upon the expiry of his contract with the Midlands club.

Last campaign, he spent the season on loan in the Championship with Sheffield United, racking up 30 appearances for the Blades during his time at Bramall Lane.

The Verdict

Derby are wasting no time in getting signings through the door following their takeover.

Hourihane becomes their fourth summer signing, with James Chester having also been confirmed this afternoon.

Indeed, Liam Rosenior is building a side that wouldn't look out of place in the Championship, in all honesty.

It will certainly be interesting to see what further arrivals the club can lure to Pride Park ahead of the League One campaign kicking off later this month.