Louie Sibley

Derby County

Sibley has been with Derby County since he joined the Under-8s academy team. After being named the 2017–18 Academy Player of the Year he signed as a first-year scholar at the beginning of the 2018–19 season,^[6] a season which ended in a U18 Premier League title success.^[7]

On 12 August 2019 Sibley made his professional debut in the EFL Cup against Scunthorpe United.^[8] On 28 August of the same year, Sibley received his first senior start, again in the EFL Cup, against Nottingham Forest, which ended in a 3–0 loss. Sibley made his league debut as a substitute in Derby's 3–0 loss to Reading on 21 December 2019.^[9] On 20 June 2020, Sibley scored his first senior hat-trick for Derby on only his second league start, away to Millwall.^[10] He ended the 2019–20 season with 5 goals in 11 league matches.

On 17 September 2020, Sibley signed a new deal with Derby to take him through to the end of the 2023–24 season.^[11] During the 2020–21 season Sibley was a first-team regular, making 32 appearances with his only goal of the season coming in a 2–2 draw against Brentford^[12] as Derby avoided relegation by one point.

The 2021–22 season would be an even tougher one for Derby as they were handed multiple points deductions which totalled 21.^[13][14] Injuries limited Sibley's game time and in January 2022, with the club needing to raise funds in administration, Millwall made several bids for Sibley.^[15] Sibley stayed at Derby, however, and scored the winning goal in stoppage time in a 1–0 success over Peterborough United on 19 February 2022.^[16] This would be Sibley's only Championship goal, as Derby were unable to overcome the deduction and were relegated to League One in April 2022.^[17]

During the 2022–23 season, Sibley made a total of 52 appearances, scoring six times, three times in League One, with highlights being the only goal in an EFL Cup win over West Bromwich Albion in August 2022^[18] and two goals in a 3–2 league win over Oxford United in March 2023.^[19] This was his most productive season in front of goal, though Derby missed out on the League One play-offs by one point at the end of the season.

Sibley was unable to take part in any of the pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2023–24 season or the opening five league matches because of a calf injury.^[20] Sibley's first three goals of the season came in the EFL Trophy, once against Lincoln City on 19 September 2023^[21] and twice in a 2–1 win at Notts County on 10 October 2023.^[22] After this game, Derby head coach Paul Warne described Sibley as the best "finisher" at the club.^[23][24] Sibley scored a 90th-minute winner against Stevenage on 17 February 2024.^[25] He was credited with two of Derby's three goals against Port Vale on 2 March 2024; however, the EFL later awarded the opening goal of the game as a Kacper Łopata own goal.^[26] At the end of the season, Sibley found himself a regular starter at left-wing back.^[27] He made 44 appearances for Derby during the season, scoring six goals as Derby secured promotion to the Championship after finishing League One runners-up.^[28]

On 18 May 2024, Derby County confirmed that Sibley was in talks to extend his contract, with his deal expiring in June 2024.^[29] On 2 July 2024, it was confirmed that Sibley had left Derby after rejecting his contract offer. In total, Sibley made 173 appearances for Derby, scoring 20 goals.^[30]

Oxford United

On 3 July 2024, Sibley joined fellow newly promoted Championship side Oxford United.^[31]

On 24 January 2025, Sibley returned to League One, joining Rotherham United on loan for the remainder of the season.^[32] He scored inside two minutes on his debut, in a 4–2 defeat at Burton Albion.^[33]

On 2 January 2026, Sibley joined League One club Bradford City on loan for the remainder of the season.^[34]