Versatile attacker Ward, 29, has been something of a villain to Forest fans in derby clashes with the Rams recently but few will mind if he shows the same level of commitment to his new club next season.
His signing perhaps reflects the current gulf between what the Reds can do in the transfer market compared to their great rivals but Ward and fellow new arrival Matt Mills come with plenty of Championship experience behind them.
23-year-old Ince arrives permanently at Derby for a fee of £4.75m after scoring 11 goals in 18 games towards the end of last season.
After struggling at the City Ground and with parent club Hull City, he feels he is 'back on track' now with a career that started in a blaze of publicity at Blackpool.