The former Aston Villa promotion winner was released ahead of the new season

Former Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane is looking for a new club after being released by promotion-winning Derby County, who he led to second place in League One.

It had been among the Rams faithful that Hourihane would be kept working in and around the team as a fringe player, but he will now be looking for a new challenge after the East Midlands side published their release and retention list.

Hourihane says his time at Derby County is ending on the right note after the club’s retained list confirmed the captain’s time at Pride Park is over.

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He played a big part in Derby’s return to the Championship but will not get to represent the club in the second tier. He is one of six senior players to leave at the end of their contracts, along with Joe Wildsmith, Korey Smith, Martyn Waghorn, Dwight Gayle and Scott Loach.

As well as captaining the team, Hourihane has contributed five goals and eight assists in 41 Ligue 1 outings this season. In his two campaigns, the 33-year-old has played a total of 98 times for the Rams and believes he is leaving in the best way possible.

“Two incredible years with the Rams have come to an end,” Hourihane wrote on social media. “From the first goal against Oxford to finishing with promotion to League One.

“Being captain of the club in the championship was a great honor for me. Getting promoted was my goal when I signed and to end on that note feels right.

“I wish the club nothing but the best for next season and I hope it continues to move in the right direction. Thanks Rams.”

Hourihane’s five years in purple and blue also included winning promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and he continued his association with the club working around the youth teams as a coach. He is being linked with another of his old clubs with a potential player-coaching role at Barnsley.

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