Derby County captain Richard Keogh has told Derby County's official website that there is an exciting feeling surrounding the club.

Keogh and his team mates reported back for training in preparation for the upcoming Championship season on Monday under new first team coach Paul Clement.

Clement has been been busy in the transfer market since taking over in June, making 5 new signings, and Monday was the first time he met his squad as a group.

The former Coventry City man spoke of his delight of the changes made in the squad and in the backroom staff and feels it is great for the club. He said, ''I’m excited to be back, to meet all the new faces and get back down to work. It’s an exciting time for the football club; we’ve got a new manager in and a lot of new players as well.''

The 28-year-old skipper also praised the efforts of his new boss Clement and the board after already making it a busy summer regarding transfers.

''I’ve been keeping up to date with it all while I’ve been away and have seen all these great players walk through the door. The club deserves a lot of credit for getting the business done early so they can be here for pre-season and we can all get down to work together.''

Keogh, who has 8 caps for the Republic of Ireland Under 21's and 7 caps for the Republic of Ireland, worked under Paul Clement back in his Under 21 days and admitted he is very excited to work under the coach again, who he believes, will have improved further as a coach after his time at Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti.

''I’ve worked with him in the Ireland U21s, he was a very good coach there. I’m sure, since then, he’s evolved himself and he’s an even better coach. I’m excited to work with him again. I learnt a lot from him when I worked with him during that brief time in the U21s.''

In what looks to be exciting times for the Rams, the new first team coach and his new staff as well as five new additions make it a very exciting time for the iPro Stadium faithful.

Derby County fans... Are you excited about the upcoming season? Do you think Clement and his summer signings can guide you to the Premier League? Let us know in the comments below!