Matt Derbyshire Bio Send To Friend  

Although born in Blackburn, Derbyshire did not make his breakthrough via the Rovers youth set-up but was instead signed from non-league outfit Great Harwood Town in November 2003.

He earned his first team debut in May 2005 when replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen for the final eight minutes of the 3-1 home defeat to Fulham at Ewood Park.

Derbyshire was tipped for great things at the start of the 2005/06 season after impressing in the club's pre-season programme but was loaned to Plymouth Argyle for first team experience on transfer deadline day in August 2005.

He remained with the Pilgrims for four months after making his bow as a 74th minute replacement in a 2-0 defeat at Norwich City. He went on to make 13 appearances, though only three of those were starts, however he failed to get on the scoresheet.

Derbyshire then returned back to Rovers before being loaned out once more in February 2006, this time to League Two side Wrexham, where he scored 10 goals in 16 games.

In his first full Premier League season, the 2006-07 campaign, Derbyshire impressed, opening his senior goal account for the club coming off the bench in a 3-0 win against Wigan Athletic on 1 January 2007. He made his first league start against Arsenal on January 13 and finished the season with nine goals in all competitions.

The 2007/08 Premier League season was a frustrating one for Derbyshire who scored just three goals, started just four games and had to settle for a place on the bench, though he did appear 19 times as a substitute.

Although Derbyshire signed a new deal with Rovers that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2012 the 2008/09 season will be vital for the player to proof his worth in the top flight.

After failing to get regular football he was loaned to Olympiakos in February 2009.