Stephen Bywater arrived at Pride Park on Saturday August 12 2006 - just a minute before the 12noon deadline for inclusion in that evening's game at Hull City.

The goalkeeper joined from West Ham United on an initial loan deal and made a permanent move on August 27, when he signed a three-year deal.

He made his debut at the KC Stadium just over five hours after signing and put in a confident performance as the Rams picked up a 2-1 win.

Manchester-born Bywater began his career at Rochdale before being snapped up by the Hammers in 1998, while still a teenager.

He made nearly 70 appearances for West Ham and has also had loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Hull, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Coventry City.

Bywater also has six England U21 caps.

The big stopper proved to be another outstanding capture and showed just why he is so highly rated with a superb run of form as the Rams earned promotion via the play-offs.

Bywater began life back in the Premier League well before picking up a shoulder injury in the pre-Christmas 2-2 draw away to Newcastle United.

And on the final day of the January 2008 window he moved out on loan to Ipswich Town until the end of the season, where he was a regular in their side before returning to Derby over the summer.

A move to Tottenham Hotspur fell through in August 2008 and he began the season as second-choice to Roy Carroll before getting his chance against Plymouth in October due to Carroll's suspension after a red card at Norwich.

Bywater and Carroll have battled for the starting spot since with both enjoying a run of games, but it is Bywater currently in pole position and he has also been rewarded with a new three-year contract to take him up to the summer of 2012.

LAST UPDATED: February 17 2009.