The Bairds of Woonona will soon move halfway around the world so one of their own can chase his professional football dreams.Promising goalkeeper Alex, his dad Neal, mum Lorraine and siblings Lauren, 10, Riley, 6 and Taylah, 3, will relocate to England in August so the 15-year-old can start a three-year deal with English Championship club Derby County.The family will settle in Derby, just minutes from the Rams' home ground (Pride Park), pending the approval of a United Kingdom working visa.Baird will spend the first 12 months in the Rams' under 16 team as an amateur and the final two years as a professional.Baird is overwhelmed by the sacrifices his family will make - although new work opportunities for Neal sweeten the deal - so he can pursue his goals."It's great of them to do this for me - it's a massive sacrifice," Baird said."It's a dream - it's the biggest thing I've done so far.Baird will join fellow Illawarra products Mile Sterjovski and Ruben Zadkovich at Derby, and is following in the footsteps of England's most capped footballer, Peter Shilton, who was the Rams' first-choice custodian from 1987 until 1992.Next season, Sterjovski and Zadkovich will help Derby tackle the second-tier Championship, while Baird will pit himself against youngsters contracted to English Premier League giants, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.That doesn't faze Baird, who played 18 games for the Rams during a trial last year.Baird was coached by 1974 Socceroo Jim Fraser - arguably Australia's best goalkeeping mentor - before being snapped up by Derby, who were vying with Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers for the youngster's signature.Baird, who started his junior career with Woonona before stints at Balgownie and Macarthur, has modest goals for his time at one of England's most popular clubs."Playing EPL would be great - I just want to play football for a job," Baird said."I love playing football. It's an amazing feeling."Neal isn't worried about moving his family to the other side of the world, and says that people from Derby "are good people". "We'd pull out all the stops to help Alex achieve what he wants," he said."Alex has worked hard. He is a quiet kid but he's mentally very strong and a good, young professional."