Former Liverpool forward Bobby Duncan has released a statement regarding the manner of his Anfield exit last summer reflecting on the ‘incorrect and unnecessary’ steps he took when leaving the Reds.
Duncan, 19, left Liverpool in a highly-documented and controversial manner last season after a series of events forced through a move to Florentina in July 2019.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – JULY 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool talking with Bobby Duncan during a training session on July 17, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
His desire to leave Liverpool could have been resolved internally but was made public after his agent Saif Rubie released a statement on his social media accusing the Reds of bullying and damaging the player’s mental health.
Rubie is now no longer the representative of Duncan after the two split back in January with German agency SportsTotal now representing the teenager. He went on to join Florentina in a £1.8 million deal with a 20% sell-on-clause added into the terms.
Duncan, who has four goals in five games for England at Under-19 level, didn’t feature for Fiorentina’s senior side but he did make an impact at youth level, scoring four goals in 12 appearences for their Primavera team.
BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Bobby Duncan of ACF Fiorentina is challenged by Jacopo Da Riva of Atalanta BC during the Primavera TIM Supercup match between Atalanta BC U19 and ACF Fiorentina U19 at Gewiss Stadium on October 28, 2019 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images for Lega Serie A)
He will now work under Derby manager Phillip Cocu and club-captain Wayne Rooney as he looks to get his career back on track in the Championship this season. A fee for the teenager remains undisclosed.
Following the move, Duncan shared his delight on Instagram reflecting on the manner of his previous transfer saga and what he has learnt as he looks to let his football do the talking once again.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “I am delighted to have signed for Derby County Football Club.
“I would like to thank Manchester City, Liverpool & AFC Fiorentina for the parts they have all played in my development to date and for the Footballing & life experiences they have each granted me.
“I took the move to Italy with only one thing as a priority, to try and develop further as a Footballer.
“The way in which the last transfer was facilitated was incorrect & unnecessary and has all proved to be a very big learning experience for me as a player and as a person.
“My intent has always been to develop. Now I have returned to England with an accumulation of experiences under my belt and am without doubt a better player and stronger person for it.
“It is time for my Football to do the talking. I am very excited by the opportunity presented to me at Derby County and will give absolutely everything to the club moving forward.
Duncan’s post received a number of responses and good luck messages as the former Liverpool and Manchester City prospect embarks on his latest chapter at Pride Park Stadium.
Rangers manager and Duncan’s cousin Steven Gerrard was among those to message Duncan on Instagram as well as former Liverpool teammates Harvey Elliott, Layton Stewart, Ki-Jana Hoever and Adam Lewis.
Speaking about the signing, Derby’s academy director Darren Wassall said: “Bobby Duncan is a player with plenty of potential and we are delighted that he has chosen to join Derby County.
“Initially, Bobby will join our Under-23s squad. Like with any other player in our Academy set-up, if they perform both in training and in matches then there is a pathway at this club to progress to the first-team.”
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