Ebou Adams has departed Derby County to join Sky Bet Championship side Portsmouth on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old midfielder leaves for an undisclosed fee, having made 89 appearances for the Rams across two years with the club.
He first signed for Derby in January 2024, on loan from Cardiff City, and made a vital contribution as the Rams secured automatic promotion back to the Championship.
Adams instantly fostered strong bonds across the club and became a fan favourite throughout his short loan spell, making 17 appearances in total, scoring once.
The Gambia international’s move was then made permanent as Derby returned to the second tier for the 2024/25 campaign. He was peerless in the middle of the park, topping the statistics charts for defensive actions such as tackles won (99) and blocks (79), while scoring six times as he missed only two matches in the league campaign.
Following the appointment of Head Coach John Eustace in February 2025, Adams was handed the Derby captaincy – leading the Rams on the pitch to six wins and three draws from 13 matches while donning the armband as they retained their Championship status.
His contributions earned him the Jack Stamps Player of the Season award – as voted for by Derby supporters – as well as the Players’ Player of the Year accolade.
Adams departs with the best wishes of everyone at the club.
Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pearce paid tribute to the midfielder: “Everybody at the club is grateful for the amazing contribution Ebou made to Derby County.
“The connection he made with the fans was amazing, and the way he led the club is a testament to a truly impressive person.
“We have told Ebou he must always stay in touch, because his impact was immense and he will never be forgotten at this club.”
