Derby County will begin their preparations for life in the Championship by making Plymouth Argyle defender Paul Connolly their first signing of the summer.

Connolly, 24, has come to the end of his contract at Home Park and has agreed a free transfer move to the Rams.

Save for a three-month loan spell with non-league Bideford in 2002, Connolly has spent his entire career at the Pilgrims, making 177 appearances.

The Liverpool-born full-back scored his first career goal this season, in the 3-0 win over Norwich City in November.

Jewell said: "Hopefully we can conclude a deal pretty quickly.

"The kid's very keen to come and he fits the deal.

"It might not get people jumping off seats as far as names are concerned but he's athletic, hungry, and a fighter.

"That's what I want to bring - as well as some quality, which he has got."