DAVID Nugent has completed a £2.5m move from Middlesbrough to Derby County, and signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Ipro Stadium.

After joining Boro a little under 18 months ago, Nugent made 40 appearances and scored eight goals to help the Teessiders to Championship promotion last season. 

The 31-year-old has featured five times this season, making only one start, when he scored his only goal of the season, at Fulham in the EFL Cup in August. His last appearance was as a substitute against Everton in September.

"I can’t wait to get back out on the pitch, and I am really excited about that,” said Nugent, in an interview with Derby's official website. "I’ve had a frustrating few months as I’ve not been playing too much this season, so I am raring to go.

"I’ve only played one competitive game, in the EFL Cup at the start of the season, and I didn’t really have a sniff after that. I’m champing at the bit to be playing games, and I have that hunger to be playing and scoring goals."

Nugent links up with Boro man Julien de Sart, who joined Derby on loan last Thursday.