It has been a hectic week in the career of Richard Keogh.

The 34-year-old recently returned to the Championship after completing a move to Huddersfield Town from League One side MK Dons.

Keogh made his debut for his new club one day after his signing was officially announced. It wasn’t the ideal start for Keogh at Huddersfield, as opponents Millwall won 1-0 on the night.

Keogh must just be pleased to be playing any level of football after a turbulent personal and professional stint while playing for Derby County.

Back in September 2019, the defender was badly injured in a car crash that ruled him out for the remainder of that season.

Richard Keogh was a backseat passenger in the car. With his Derby team-mates at the time Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence sitting in the front.

The three men stayed out longer than permitted during a night out and even refused the offer of club transport to take them home.

Both Bennett and Lawrence were docked six weeks wages and ordered to serve 80 hours community service and rehabilitation in the aftermath.

While both men pleaded guilty to drink driving at Derby Magistrates Court in October 2019. Richard Keogh was dealt a stricter punishment in the same month.

Derby Dismissal

Keogh didn’t have to attend any court hearings as he doesn’t drive.

However, Derby County dished out their own punishment to the man that was their club captain at the time of the crash.

The club cited his position of responsibility as the reasoning behind coming down on Keogh.

Derby terminated the Irish internationals contract with immediate effect on the grounds of ‘gross misconduct’ in October 2019.

While Keogh was far from the innocent participant during all of this, his situation was complicated. He was looking at a year on the injury list due to his serious knee injury sustained during the car crash.

The incident seemingly put an end to Keogh’s international career with Ireland.

He was a regular under Mick McCarthy. While McCarthy gave the player his full supporter during that difficult time. He hasn’t been involved in the Ireland set up since.

Compensation

Full credit to Richard Keogh. He kick-started his football career with MK Dons. Becoming a vital member of their squad since signing back in August 2020 as a free agent.

However, we continue to see the fall out of the car crash, as Richard Keogh could be due a massive pay-out.

Keogh is reportedly in line for a £2 million bumper pay-out after his contract was terminated by Derby County.

Reports are saying that Keogh is in line to collect the hefty payment after his controversial dismissal was recently upheld by an employment tribunal.

As out of the three men involved in this incident, Richard Keogh was the only one let go by the club.

Tom Lawrence is still a Derby County player. While Mason Bennett permanently left the club back in August to join Millwall after a string of loan spells.

Keogh had 21 months left on his contract at Derby County. He signed an extension back in February 2018, this was due to run out in 2021. He was earning £1.3 million a year. The settlement from the tribunal was calculated from the time that was remaining on his Derby County contract at the time of his dismissal.

During eight seasons at the club, Richard Keogh played 356 times and scored 12 goals. Winning multiple Player of the Year awards in the process.

Derby County

Obviously, this isn’t the news Derby County as a club wanted to hear and they haven’t commented on the issue at the time of writing.

Derby are going through a troubling patch themselves.

They are currently floating around the relegation zone in the Championship, just five points keeping them safe. But with more games played than every other team below them.

As we know, they recently appointed Wayne Rooney as their permanent manager.

The financial situation has been very worrying at the club lately too.

They’re currently waiting on a takeover by Derventio Holdings (UK) Limited. A company that is effectively owned by Sheikh Khaled bin Saquer Zayed Al Nayhan. The cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour based out of Abu Dhabi.

Current owner and Derby native Mel Morris has been hesitant to pump any more money into the club. This meant the Derby County players were not paid in full last month.

While Derby are understood to have received enough cash to cover the remaining salaries for December and have ensured players that wages for January won’t be an issue, this is never a good look for any club.

New manager Wayne Rooney has also decided to defer a portion of his wage to help his current club during their financial crisis.

Rooney is the highest earning employee at the club, bringing in £90,000 per week.

The former England international has stated he won’t be receiving his full wage while his players missing out on a full wage is a possibility.

Rooney was a key figure to persuading other Derby County players to take wage deferrals last season. This attitude has carried over into his management career too.

Derby To Appeal?

The news of a possible big compensation going the way of former player Richard Keogh will add to the growing concern around the club while they wait on their new owners to come in.

Derby may still appeal the tribunal’s decision.

Keogh’s appeal with both Derby and the English Football League (EFL) have failed in the past. Even though he has succeeded with the employment tribunal. This certainly doesn’t mean that it’s money in the bank just yet.