Derby County have announced the appointment of former Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement as the Championship club's new head coach.

The Rams have been on the hunt for a new leader since sacking manager Steve McClaren last week after the former England boss failed to guide the team into the playoffs.

Derby targeted Clement after the 43-year-old announced his departure from the Bernabeu when Carlo Ancelotti was fired by the Spanish giants following a two-year spell.

This morning, Derby announced via their official website that Clement has penned a three-year deal and will begin his first management role this summer.

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining Derby County as head coach and I am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started," Clement said on the website. "This is a massive club with fantastic facilities and a superb fan base who deserve success.

"Having spoken with [chief executive] Sam Rush and the owners I firmly believe we share the same desires and ambitions and that is to once again make Derby County a Premier League club."

Rush added: "Paul Clement is one of the most in-demand coaches in world football and I am delighted that he has agreed to join Derby County as our new head coach.

"He is hugely respected, has exceptional relationships throughout football and tremendous coaching experience at some of the very best clubs in Europe.

"He is the perfect appointment at the next stage of Derby County's development and we are looking forward to the coming season with a great deal of optimism."

Clement has also had coaching roles at Chelsea, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and Paris Saint-Germain.