MICHAEL JACOBS is already setting his sights on the Premier League after leaving the Cobblers to sign for npower Championship side Derby County.
The midfielder’s transfer for an undisclosed fee was officially announced by the Rams this morning, with Jacobs now preparing to meet up with his new club-mates when they begin their pre-season training on July 12.
Nigel Clough’s side have struggled to make an impact on the Championship promotion picture following their relegation after a one-season stay in the Premier League in 2007-08.
But it is a club with a proud history, including English Football League Championship victories in 1972 and 1975, and Jacobs believes the Rams can recapture past glories, highlighting the club’s potential as one of the main reasons for his switch from Sixfields.
“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think the club could get into the Premier League,” Jacobs told the Derby Evening Telegraph.
“I’ve been in a team that has flirted with relegation for the past two seasons and that’s not really where you want to be as a footballer.
“You want to be doing well and winning games regularly in the league, and that is why I’ve come to Derby. Hopefully, we can push for promotion this season.”
The first challenge for Jacobs though will be winning a place in the Derby team, and to establish himself as a player at Championship level - something he feels he is now ready to do.
“I know it’s a big step up for me but I’ve got faith in my ability,” said Jacobs, who was born in Kettering and brought up in Rothwell.
“Obviously, I will be coming up against a lot of good players but I’m looking forward to proving myself at this level.
“I think I’m ready. Obviously, I’ve got to prove it first. Pre-season will be a big thing for me and, hopefully, I can hit the ground running.
“If the gaffer gives me an opportunity, I’ll definitely take it with both hands.
“I’ve proved that before, when I came from the youth team into the first team at Northampton.
“I know it’s a different level but I’m confident I can push on.”
Derby boss Clough is delighted to have finally secured the signature of Jacobs, a player he admits he has been monitoring for a while.
“Michael’s a player we identified some time ago as someone who would be a very good addition to our squad and over the last two years he’s been one of the best players in the lower leagues,” said the Rams gaffer.
“He’s a young lad but already he has plenty of first-team experience at Northampton behind him and we feel he has plenty of potential, which we believe he can fulfil in a Derby County shirt.
“Michael fits in well with the sort of player we’re looking to bring into the club and we’re delighted he’s chosen Derby County.
“We’ve had to be patient in getting this deal done but we’re very happy to get it over the line.”
Although the Cobblers never received any concrete bids from any other club apart from Derby, there were tentative enquiries from other teams, and Jacobs himself revealed that he turned down approaches from two other Championship clubs in Charlton Athletic and Peterborough United.
“This is a fantastic move for me (to Derby) and I’m delighted to get it done,” admitted Jacobs.
“I had offers from Charlton and Peterborough as well but as soon as I came to have a look around the facilities at Derby, I knew this was the place for me.
“You only need to look at the set-up. The facilities are Premier League standard and I liked what the manager had to say.”
Jacobs also admitted it was tough to decide to leave Northampton, but he feels this is the perrfect time for him to move on, and that his team-mates at Sixfields encouraged him to grasp the opportunity to better himself.
“I’ve been at Northampton since I was 10, so it has been a massive part of my life and I owe a lot to them – all the staff, the players and the fans,” said Jacobs.
“I’m sad to leave but this is the next step in my career now.
“I spoke to my family, my friends and my agent and everyone felt that it was the right time for me to go.
“Even the boys at Northampton thought it was right for me to go because they felt I could test myself at Championship standard – and so did I.
“At the end of the day, you know when it feels right.
“I had the chance to go last summer but I didn’t feel I was ready. Now I do.”
Jacobs is likely to make a swift return to Sixfields though, as Derby are visitors for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 31.