Town have completed the signing of free agent former QPR, Swansea and Tottenham midfielder Tom Carroll on a one-year deal. TWTD revealed that the Blues were closing in on the addition of the 29-year-old this morning.
Carroll, who is the club’s 16th senior signing of the summer, left Loftus Road having turned down a new contract. He spent much of pre-season training with Derby County.
"It’s great to finally get it all done. I spoke to the manager a few days back and he was keen to get me in. It’s nice to feel wanted,” Carroll told the club site.
"I want to play some football and get this club back where it belongs. I’m travelling up to Cheltenham on the bus with the boys. Hopefully I can be involved tomorrow and see how it goes.”
Town boss Paul Cook added: "Tom is a very creative and intelligent player. He can see a pass and we’re delighted to have acquired him.
"We’ve had great support from the owners and [CEO] Mark Ashton and now we want to integrate these new lads into the group and win games in front of our supporters.”
Rumours that the former England U19 and U21 international was on Town's radar were circulating last month, manager Cook having watched the Rams' friendly at home to Real Betis in which Carroll played the first 56 minutes.
Born in Watford, Carroll came through the ranks at Tottenham and had spells on loan at Leyton Orient, Derby, QPR and Swansea while a White Hart Lane player before joining the Swans permanently for £4.5 million in January 2017.
A loan spell at Aston Villa followed before he moved to Loftus Road on a permanent basis in the summer of 2020.
Carroll will compete with Rekeem Harper and Lee Evans for one of the two central midfield starting berths.