Despite being promised that he would not lose any of his players on deadline day, Wayne Rooney had to see one Derby County individual depart in the final 24 hours of the January transfer window.

The ex-Manchester United icon 'guaranteed' following the 2-2 draw on Sunday with Birmingham City that all of his squad would be staying put, but in the end it was young Luke Plange who headed out of the exit door the following day.

19-year-old Plange only arrived at Pride Park last March following his release from Arsenal and immediately made a big impact for the under-18's and then the under-23 squad earlier this season.

With a striker shortage at County, Plange made his first-team debut in December against Bristol City and since then has appeared in every league game, scoring three times in eight Championship outings.

The vultures were eventually going to circle and despite turning down offers this month for the likes of Lee Buchanan and Louie Sibley, the administrators decided to let Plange depart to Premier League side Crystal Palace for a fee in excess of £1 million.

That will help the cash-flow problem out at the Rams in the short-term but crucially Plange has been allowed to return to the club until the end of the season on loan - and he's sent a message to Derby fans following his transfer and subsequent loan back.

The Verdict

Despite only playing eight senior games of football, Plange clearly knows where the back of the net is as evidenced with his goals this season and in youth football in the last few years.

With an academy pedigree from his days at Arsenal it's no surprise to see the forward make his way back up the footballing pyramid but it is perhaps surprising at how quick it's happened.

It's good that Derby have been able to get Plange back for the rest of the season though and the EFL have done something right in allowing the club to register him despite the other restrictions that they have currently imposed.

The first-team experience he will get at Pride Park for the rest of the season will be invaluable and it will help him on his path to one day being a regular in Palace's team.