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Conor Doyle - Dallas Texans

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DERBY County are ready to step up their interest in American forward Conor Doyle.

The 18-year-old from Texas plays youth football in the United States and has impressed the Rams during his trial spell.

He has featured in the three friendlies against Burton Albion, Southend United and Bournemouth.

Doyle was one of four Derby players who played the full game in last night's 3-3 draw against League One opponents Bournemouth at Dean Court.

Twenty-two-year-old striker Amari Morgan-Smith from Ilkeston Town has also been with the Rams during their two-match tour of the south this week.

He has appeared in the three friendlies played so far during pre-season.

"We have got to make a decison on Amari this weekend and Conor probably the same time, if not early next week," said manager Nigel Clough.

"They have both done very well. They have been in with the first team and not looked out of place."

There would be a work permit issue with Doyle but his father has an Irish passport which could help.

"We saw against Bournemouth and in a strong first team that Conor certainly did not look out of place," said Clough.

"At 18, compare him with other 18-year-olds we have got at the club and he is probably ahead of the majority of them.

"We are interested in him because we do have this gap between the first team and the young lads coming through and people like him would fit nicely into that."

Derby led 2-0 and 3-1 against Bournemouth but they were pegged back to draw 3-3 in the latest friendly.

Bournemouth's equaliser came in stoppage time with the last kick of the game.

"We are frustrated about conceding three goals but we were going to be vulnerable with the back four we had out," said Clough, who was without five central defenders in Dean Leacock, Shaun Barker, Russell Anderson, Jake Buxton and Miles Addison. Striker Rob Hulse and left-back Dean Moxey had to fill in.

"We had people playing out of position but I thought Rob tried very hard filling in," added Clough. "I think we got a little bit complacent at 2-0 and we conceded in the 45th and 92nd minute – they are very poor times to concede goals."

http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Clough-set-make-triallist-Doyle/article-2444106-detail/article.html

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DERBY County hope to sign 18-year-old American forward Conor Doyle on a two-year deal this week.

Doyle has played in the Rams' four friendlies of pre-season and he has impressed manager Nigel Clough.

He was due to return to the United States yesterday but will now stay with the Rams.

"We have talked to Conor, and his mum and dad, and we will try to get something sorted out in the next couple of days," said Clough.

Doyle is from Texas and is currently on a scholarship at Creighton University in Nebraska.

He has played for Dallas Texans at youth level.

"Conor would have to give up his scholarship to become a professional footballer here, which is a big decision for him and his parents," said Clough.

"He has worked very hard for that three or four-year scholarship but he is willing to give football a go.

"We will try to see if we can do anything for his education here and make sure he is looked after.

"He is only 18 but when he plays he doesn't look 18. It is incredible the way he has slotted in."

Doyle played 45 minutes against Burton Albion and Southend United, a full game in the draw at Bournemouth and he started and scored in Saturday's victory at Chesterfield.

"We just played him at Burton because we wanted to put two teams out and we were stretched in terms of numbers," said Clough. "He did well and has played in all the games since. He has been in and around the first team and has not looked out of place.

"Hopefully we can get him on a two-year contract this week.

"We are just making sure there is no compensation issue with his earlier clubs but we don't think there are.

"He is not connected to a club at the moment but he has played youth soccer in America."

Doyle has an Irish passport and so there should be no issues regarding a work permit.

His father, David, was born in Dublin and spent 17 seasons playing indoor soccer in the United States for Kansas City Comets, Dallas Sidekicks, St Louis Ambush and Wichita Wings.

He was named Major Indoor League Rookie of the Year in 1987-8, was twice the league's leading scorer and a regular in the All Star team.

Derby remain interested in Ilkeston Town striker Amari Morgan-Smith.

The 21-year-old played in the friendlies at Burton, Southend and Bournemouth.

"We are having a chat with Ilkeston this week to see if there is a deal to be done there," said Clough.

"Amari has done well, he has impressed us.

"We will look to pursue that but the deal would have to be right for us."

Doyle and Morgan-Smith are of an age where they fit into Derby's development squad, the group of players between 18 and 21.

Clough feels there is a void between the Academy players and the first team.

http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Rams-set-offer-Doyle-year-contract/article-2456755-detail/article.html

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CONOR Doyle is set to sign a two-year deal with Derby County today and the Rams hope to obtain international clearance in time for him to be in the squad for tomorrow's Championship opener against Leeds United.

The 18-year-old American forward has been training and playing with Derby during pre-season.

He has featured in all of the senior friendlies and scored in the victory over Chesterfield.

Manager Nigel Clough has been impressed with the youngster's performances and the way he has settled in and around the first team.

"Conor is only 18 but when he plays, he doesn't look 18. It is incredible the way he has slotted in," said Clough.

Derby have agreed personal terms with Doyle, who is from Texas and has played youth football in the United States.

He has also been on a scholarship at Creighton University in Nebraska.

Doyle has an Irish passport as his father, David, was born in Dublin and spent 17 seasons playing indoor soccer in the States for Kansas City Comets, Dallas Sidekicks, St Louis Ambush and Wichita Wings.

http://www.therams.co.uk/news/Doyle-sign-time-squad-Leeds/article-2497441-detail/article.html

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Nigel Clough today made latest signing of the summer by swooping to sign American youngster Conor Doyle.

Doyle, 18, has been a regular figure in Derby's squad throughout pre-season after teaming up with the Rams on a trial basis.

He impressed sufficiently to be offered a two-year contract, which he today signed.

Doyle originates from Texas in America and has given up his scholarship at Creighton University in Nebraska in favour of moving to England.

He played Dallas Texans at youth level, where he came to the attention of the Rams.

Clough said: "Conor has settled in very quickly and has impressed everyone.

"For a player of just 18 years of age he is very mature and has adapted well to English football.

"It is a big challenge for him and he has made a big decision.

"We're delighted he has put pen-to-paper and look forward to seeing him develop further in the next two seasons."

Subject to clearance, Doyle could make his Derby debut in tomorrow's npower Championship opener at Leeds United.

Doyle has been allocated squad number 23.

http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2113174,00.html

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