In a move that has raised some eyebrows, Derby County have officially confirmed that Sonny Bradley, who has been on loan at Wycombe Wanderers this season, will not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires in the summer. The 31-year-old centre-back joined Derby from Luton Town in the summer of 2022, signing a two-year contract with the Rams. However, after a period of limited first-team opportunities, the club decided to loan him out to Wycombe Wanderers in the current season.
Bradley’s time at Derby has been somewhat underwhelming, with the defender struggling to secure a regular starting spot under manager Paul Warne. He featured in just a handful of matches during his first season at Pride Park, and with Derby’s focus on rebuilding a team capable of challenging for promotion back to the Championship, opportunities for Bradley became even more sparse.
The decision to loan him out to Wycombe Wanderers in League One was seen as an opportunity for the player to get more first-team experience, and it was hoped that a successful spell at Adams Park could rejuvenate his career. Unfortunately, despite being a key player for Wycombe, Bradley’s time at the Chairboys has not been enough to change Derby’s stance on his future.
In a statement released by Derby County, the club expressed their gratitude to Bradley for his professionalism during his time at the club but confirmed that they would not be extending his contract. The statement read, “We would like to thank Sonny for his contributions during his time at Derby County. He has been a dedicated and professional player, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Sonny Bradley has spent much of his career in the lower leagues, enjoying successful spells at Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town before making the move to Derby. Known for his leadership, aerial prowess, and physical presence, Bradley had been a stalwart in Luton’s defense during their promotion to the Championship, but the move to Derby was a step into a more competitive environment where he struggled to replicate that same form.
While his future now looks uncertain, the experience he gained at Wycombe will likely serve him well as he seeks his next challenge. Whether that is in League One or potentially further up the pyramid remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Bradley’s time at Derby is coming to an end.
As Derby County continue their preparations for the new season, the club will look to further strengthen their squad with fresh faces and younger talent, while parting ways with players like Bradley in order to clear space for a new direction.
