Derby County Land Ajax Graduate Jaydon Banel On Loan

Derby County fans have something to cheer about as the club confirmed the arrival of Dutch forward Jaydon Banel from Burnley on loan until the end of the 2025-26 season. The move, finalized just before the close of the January transfer window, represents Derby’s third signing this month and signals a renewed push for creativity and firepower as the Rams chase a play-off spot in the Sky Bet Championship.

Banel, just 21 years old, comes with a pedigree that’s hard to ignore. Having risen through the ranks at Ajax—one of Europe’s most respected youth academies—he made his senior debut for the Amsterdam giants and featured in both the Eredivisie and the Europa League before Burnley swooped in last February. The Lancashire club reportedly paid around £1 million for his services after he declined a contract extension in the Dutch capital.

Since joining Burnley, Banel has found first-team opportunities limited, making only five appearances in his first year at Turf Moor. But he’s shown flashes of his potential, most notably scoring his first senior goal earlier this month in Burnley’s emphatic 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Millwall. He also made an impression against Derby themselves, coming off the bench for a 28-minute cameo in the Carabao Cup back in August 2025 and, crucially, creating the winning goal in Burnley’s 2-1 triumph over the Rams in that tie.

Derby’s move for Banel comes hot on the heels of Corey Blackett-Taylor’s departure to Bolton Wanderers on loan, leaving the Rams short on wide attacking options. With the loan window set to slam shut on February 2nd, Derby’s swift action ensures manager John Eustace has a new weapon at his disposal as the season enters a critical phase. According to Dutch outlet Soccernews, Derby had tracked Banel since his Ajax days, fighting off interest from other Championship teams as well as clubs in Spain, Germany, and Belgium to secure his signature.

Banel’s versatility is a major asset. While he prefers the left flank, he’s comfortable operating anywhere across the front line, including the number ten role and on the right wing. That flexibility should come in handy for Eustace, who has had to juggle his forward options in recent weeks. In Derby’s most recent league outing against West Bromwich Albion, Rhian Brewster was deployed on the left but struggled to make a telling impact despite leading the team in completed dribbles.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, John Eustace explained what drew him to the Dutchman: “He is a young, exciting player and he has a point to prove. He is very hungry and wants to do well. To leave a Premier League club at this stage to come to a Championship team shows his ambition to really showcase himself.” Eustace admitted it was Banel’s energetic cameo in the Carabao Cup that first caught his eye, and he’s eager to see what the forward can produce with a run of games in the second tier.

Banel will be available for immediate selection, joining the Derby squad for their Friday night clash with Bristol City. The timing couldn’t be better, as the Rams sit 11th in the Championship, just two points adrift of the play-off places. With the business end of the season fast approaching, Derby are determined to bolster their promotion push—and Banel’s arrival could provide the spark they’ve been missing out wide.

The young Dutchman’s track record offers plenty of encouragement. During his time at Jong Ajax—the reserve side of the Eredivisie giants—he notched an impressive 18 goals in 85 appearances. His combination of pace and end product has long been touted as his biggest asset, and Derby fans will hope he can replicate that form in the white shirt. For Banel, this loan represents his first extended spell of English football, a challenge he seems eager to embrace.

Burnley, for their part, remain invested in Banel’s development. The Clarets, managed by Scott Parker, have made it clear there is no option to buy in the loan agreement, with the expectation that Banel will return to Lancashire at the end of the campaign. Parker expressed his excitement about the winger’s potential following his FA Cup goal, telling local media: “We brought him to the football club because Jaydon’s got real talent. We see that and I see it every single day. He’s got a sharpness about him, but he’s still young in his development, for sure. But I’m really pleased for him as well.”

Financially, the deal is unlikely to break the bank. Banel reportedly earned around £7,500 a week last season in the Championship, a manageable figure for Derby as they seek to maximize their resources during the January window. The club’s recruitment drive this month has already seen the arrivals of Oscar Fraulo from Borussia Monchengladbach and Dion Sanderson from Birmingham City, but it’s Banel’s signing that has generated the most buzz among supporters.

Derby are also reportedly keeping tabs on Ipswich Town’s Sammie Szmodics, with the club eager to further strengthen its attacking options before the deadline. But for now, all eyes are on Banel as he prepares to make his debut in a potentially pivotal fixture at Ashton Gate. With Ben Brereton Diaz contributing two goals and two assists in his last five outings, the addition of another creative force could be just what the Rams need to turn narrow draws into crucial victories.

As the Championship promotion race heats up, Derby County’s bold move for Jaydon Banel demonstrates their intent. The Dutch youngster brings pedigree, hunger, and a point to prove—qualities that could make all the difference as the Rams aim for a return to the top flight. With the ink barely dry on his loan deal, anticipation is building at Pride Park. Will Banel be the missing piece in Derby’s promotion puzzle? Only time—and the next few months—will tell.