Todd plans to take Reading lessons

Andy Todd insists Derby will not be fighting in the Premier League this season “just to make up the numbers”.

Todd was today unveiled as manager Billy Davies’ fourth signing of the summer, taking the Scotsman’s spending to just over £7m.

Striker Rob Earnshaw signed last week in a club record £3.5m deal, and is joined by £3million Claude Davis – who is expected to have a work permit granted next week – and £1million Tyrone Mears.

Centre-back Todd moved for around £750,000 from Blackburn on a two-year contract and follows in the footsteps of father Colin, who made his name with the club during the 1970s.

Unlike that era when Todd senior won two league titles with Derby, the current side are widely expected to be involved in a season-long battle to beat the drop.

Todd, though, believes that will not be the case as he said: “From speaking to the manager he convinced me this club is going places, and I want to be part of it.

“We’re not going into the season just to make up the numbers. We are going to have a good go.

“I believe with my experience of the Premier League, I can do my best to help them with regard to what life is like at this level.

“We have to take a leaf out of Reading’s book, and I don’t see why we can’t do what they did last season.

“We have to aim as high as we can. We don’t want to be scrapping down at the bottom, and I don’t see why we should be.”

After five years at Blackburn, the 32-year-old will next season wear the white shirt of Derby as proudly worn by his dad during the club’s heyday.

Colin Todd made 371 appearances between 1971-78, and although Andy never saw his dad play at the old Baseball Ground, he is happy to have rediscovered his roots.

“I’m coming home,” remarked Todd, who was born in Littleover on the outskirts of the city.

“It’s also another chance to play in the Premier League, but Derby are a good club with a good tradition, and I didn’t have to think twice about joining.

“It’s special that I’m now playing for the club my dad played for.

“My dad was a good player, and if I can achieve half of what he did then I’ll be happy.”

Davies also finally has David Kelly as his assistant after waiting over a year to bring him to the club.

After Davies left Preston to join Derby, he attempted to bring Kelly with him, only for the club to put a brake on the move.

Kelly was placed on ’gardening leave’ by Preston, and up until a few days ago it appeared as if Davies would not get his man.

However, the appointment of Trevor Birch as chief executive last month was instrumental as he managed to broker a deal between the two clubs.

While one of the clauses is that Kelly is not allowed to speak about his former employers, he is obviously delighted to finally be at his new one.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m glad to be here,” said Kelly.

“In the meantime I’ve watched lots of football, played lots of golf, and I’ve had a good year.

“It wasn’t frustrating. The situation was what it was, and I just got on with things. I’m just happy it has been sorted.”