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Jerome confident he can boost Derby’s promotion hopes after completing £1.5m switch from Norwich
Cameron Jerome's last Norwich City start came in a 2-1 defeat at Bolton at the start of November. Picture by Russell Hart/Focus Images - Credit: Russell Hart/Focus Images Ltd
Cameron Jerome is confident he can have a 'positive impact' on Derby County's push for promotion to the Premier League after completing his move from Norwich City.
The 31-year-old striker had his Rams medical today, after the Canaries accepted a reported bid of around £1.5million, potentially rising to £2m if Derby do go up.
Jerome scored 42 goals in 138 matches for City, having joined from Stoke for a deal reportedly worth around £1.5m in August 2014, helping City to promotion and scoring at Wembley in the play-off final victory over Middlesbrough in May 2015.
'This is a great opportunity for me to come and play for another fantastic club,' Jerome said after the deal was confirmed by both clubs this evening, signing a one-and-a-half-year contract.
'I've been privileged throughout my career so far to play for some wonderful clubs throughout the years and I'm looking forward to this challenge.
'Derby is a club that has got all of the tools to be in the Premier League and with the way that this season has gone so far, that's looking like a strong possibility.
'The team has been flying and the form that the team has shown over the last five weeks has been brilliant.
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'The team is full of confidence and team spirit and hopefully I can add to that. I want to have a positive impact to this squad and keep this momentum going.'
Having scored 21 goals to lead the Canaries to promotion, the former Cardiff front-man managed just three in 35 games as City were relegated from the Premier League the next season.
He found form again in 2016-17 with 16 goals in 41 games but a back injury and just two goals in 17 matches have seen him become a peripheral figure under Daniel Farke this season.
His last start came in a 2-1 defeat at lowly Bolton on November 4, with just two brief substitute appearances during the 12 matches since.
'It's been a long day, but I am delighted to get the paperwork signed and I can't wait to get started,' Jerome continued.
'I was quite aware of the interest and I was flattered by it. Gary (Rowett) being the manager that he is, he's been true to his word and came back for a second time.'
Rowett's in-form side are currently second in the Championship table, 10 points adrift of leaders Wolves but only two clear of third-placed Cardiff.
Jerome joins former Canaries team-mate Bradley Johnson and former Cardiff colleague Joe Ledley at Pride Park.
'Joe is a quality player and I was surprised that nobody took a risk on him in the summer,' Jerome added, speaking to RamsTV.
'To me, he isn't even a risk at this level. He's a proven international footballer with Premier League experience and someone who has won titles up in Scotland.
'That was a no-brainer and was a great piece of business by Derby. Brad has been promoted with Norwich a couple of times and he's a big player for Derby now too.' Derby boss Rowett added: 'I'm delighted to welcome Cameron to Derby County.
'We believe that he will fit into our style of play and will add something different to our forward options.'
• You can re-live Jerome's best moment in a City shirt, his early goal at Wembley, in the video above