Exclusive: Craig Dawson Attracts Derby, Preston Interest After Wolves Exit

Derby County and Preston North End have enquired about signing former Wolves and West Ham defender Craig Dawson on a free transfer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

And a couple of unnamed League One clubs have also made tentative enquiries about the player’s availability following the close of the transfer window.

Experienced centre-back Dawson was released by the Wolves at the end of his two-and-a-half-year deal in June.

The 35-year-old, who has played no fewer than 14 seasons in the Premier League, is hungry to prolong his professional career as long as he can.

And our sources understand the no-nonsense centre-back would relish the chance to play in the Championship in the twilight of his distinguished career.

Dawson played 57 times in the Premier League for Wolves and before that 64 times for the Hammers during a long career which has seen him mix it with the best in the business in the English top tier.

PREMIER LEAGUE PEDIGREE

He also played in the Premier League for Watford and, prior to that, enjoyed seven seasons with West Brom in the Premier League.

Dawson has amassed 512 career appearances and chipped in with 54 goals throughout his career, which started with Rochdale in League Two and then League One back in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

His experience at the top level is just one of the attributes that has attracted the Rams and Lilywhites, with two League One sides also hopeful they might be tempt him to play at a lower level for the first time in over a decade.

The former England Under-21 international is understood to have been keeping himself fit during the summer with the aim of securing a summer move.