Tom Lawrence wants Premier League future after securing Derby move

After failing to secure a first-team place at Leiceser City, Tom Lawrence decided to drop down to the Championship to join Derby County, but the winger insisted that he still aims to become a Premier League player.

Having started his career at Manchester United, Lawrence spent last season on loan at Championship outfit Ipswich Town but the 23-year old is hoping his stay in England's second tier is a short one.

When asked if he still holds out hope to play in the Premier League, Lawrence said: "Yeah, that's got to be a player's main aim, to play at the highest level and just because you drop down a division it doesn't mean you're not going to get back there.

"If you show your qualities hopefully a team will come calling or for Derby to go up it would be a great achievement."

The Welsh international has also previously had loan spells at Rotherham, Blackburn and Cardiff but has now joined Gary Rowett's Derby in a permanent transfer, despite there being interest from other clubs.

On this interset, Lawrence said: "I had other options, but the drive the manager put in, he showed me that he wanted me at this club, that's why I'm here now.

"That's a big thing for me, how much the manager wanted me as part of this club. When you drop down to the Championship it's still a great league. I'm looking forward to getting started and hopefully we can get this club in the Premier League."

Lawrence watched on as his Leicester team-mates miraculously won the Premier League title in 2016 but confessed that he had no problem about leaving the former Champions this summer.

"I've had a mixed time there," said the winger. "I've not played too many games, been sent on loan a few times, so the timing was right.

"I didn't feel too many bad feelings for leaving, everyone kind of saw it coming."