Midfielder Ebou Adams admits he'll struggle to say goodbye to Derby County after his loan spell ended with the club's glorious return to the Championship. Derby overcame relegated Carlisle United 2-0 at Pride Park on Saturday and, by 2:30pm, the pitch was filled with supporters who'd run onto the pitch to join in the celebrations with the players.
Adams signed on loan from Cardiff City, who he joined from Forest Green Rovers in the summer of 2022, in the January transfer window and he has gone on to make a significant impact in aiding the Rams towards the seasonal goal they secured on the final day of the campaign. Adams played 17 times and scored once, that being the winner against Blackpool on Good Friday.
The 28-year-old, who has a single year remaining on his contract with the Bluebirds, was the subject of chants of 'sign him up!' from the Rams fanbase, who have understandably taken to the loanee, on Saturday. What lies ahead, primarily, for Adams is a summer break to recuperate and relax. After that, he himself concedes he knows little of what is in store for him. One thing is for certain - he'll reflect incredibly fondly on these last three months.
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"Words can't describe," he told BBC Radio Derby. "I think the fans have said it all. I've really enjoyed my time and I've loved it here. I've loved it. Honestly, I've enjoyed every single minute. Thank you to the fans, thank you to the club. I owe them so much. I'm happy to give them promotion, because that's the minimum they deserve. Hopefully next year they can go and do what they deserve to do.
"The gaffer, to be fair, when he signed me he said 'listen, our job is to get promoted'. I told him I'd do my best. To get this far and have so much of an impact is an understatement. I can only thank the players. They've given me so much of a platform to enjoy myself, and that's what I've been doing. We've been strong, steady and just kept it going. We've been resilient."
Specifically on his future, while he was being serenaded by the supporters during the interview, Adams admitted that bidding farewell will be an emotional challenge, but he refused to rule out the prospect of returning to Pride Park on a permanent basis.
"I can't say it - it's so difficult! It's never goodbye from me," he added. "First of all I'm going to enjoy my summer! I don't know where I'm going to be. I'll enjoy my summer first and foremost and then we'll see where we're at, but I've enjoyed every single minute of it and thank you so much for having me here."
