Huddersfield Town have been particularly busy in the market as they prepare for their upcoming campaign, with Michael Duff readying them for a return to League One, beginning with a mouth-watering clash against Peterborough United on opening day.
Huddersfield finished 18th in the second tier in 2022/23 due to the heroics of Neil Warnock after he completed another great escape from the drop in the second tier, leading Town to safety with a game to spare in the Championship despite picking the side up joint-bottom of the division with 15 games of the season still remaining.
But they were unable to repeat that feat under André Breitenreiter, despite the German taking charge with the club sitting 20th and outside the relegation places back in February. Now, given that they are heading for their first season in the third tier since 2012, there are bound to be plenty of changes at the club.
Key players are likely to be sold, and several players are also out of contract. However, after installing Duff as boss earlier in the summer, the West Yorkshire outfit have started the window off well after bringing in plenty of EFL experience to help their promotion efforts over the course of the season, and they will hope to return to the Championship immediately.
Mickel Miller has joined the club from Plymouth Argyle following the expiration of his deal in Devon, while Lasse Sorenson joins the club from third tier rivals Lincoln City. Herbie Kane has added some further experience by linking up with his old boss after making the move from Barnsley, while Antony Evans became the latest recruit after joining from Bristol Rovers.
As the clock ticks closer to their season opener against Peterborough on August 10th, we take a look at two players that the Terriers should try to bring in as new signings over the next week.
Dom Ballard
Huddersfield have been linked with moves for two strikers recently, with Luton Town frontman Joe Taylor a possible option alongside Southampton centre-forward Dom Ballard, following a recent report linking both players to the John Smith’s Stadium.
Jordan Rhodes, Yuta Nakayama, Brahima Diarra, Aaron Rowe and Connor Mahoney have all left the club upon the expiry of their deals, while dynamic midfielder Jack Rudoni has joined Coventry City, and Sorba Thomas has joined FC Nantes on loan with an option to buy.
It maybe leaves them lacking some real firepower in attack outside of Rhys Healey and Danny Ward, with another central striker required, especially after the club missed out on Alfie May to Birmingham City at the last minute. No strikers have joined the Terriers as yet, but it’s clear Duff is targeting at least one new number nine to fire his side to promotion while competing for places with the likes of Healey and Ward.
Ballard is 19 and is a highly-rated young striker but is unlikely to get regular senior game time this coming season, and so could be set to seek pastures new on loan for the upcoming campaign. Taylor is likely to be the same but may have interest above League One level and be a touch too ambitious, making Ballard the most viable option of the pair.
He joined Reading last summer and started the campaign well, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in November, and is now an apparent target for fellow League One sides Bolton and Wycombe Wanderers as well. Regular first-team game time could be offered to Ballard, and he is a player that would improve both the depth and quality of Duff’s attacking ranks.
Carlton Palmer believes that any top club in the Championship should take an interest in Brahima Diarra.
Joe Hodge
Huddersfield are also interested in signing Wolves midfielder Joe Hodge in the summer transfer window following his spell on loan at QPR in 2023-24, according to a report from Football Insider, who say that the Terriers are in talks over another temporary deal for the 21-year-old.
It appears as though Wolves are willing to part ways with him once again this summer, and that he could be set for another return to the EFL for the upcoming campaign in order to receive more game-time and further his development.
As per the most recent update, Huddersfield are now keen to secure a temporary deal for the 21-year-old for the coming campaign, and are in discussions over a move. Despite Wolves lacking depth in midfield themselves, it is suggested that they are willing to let the Republic of Ireland youth international head out on loan this season to help him achieve his potential.
| Joe Hodge’s career stats – per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Manchester City U-23 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Manchester City | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derry City (loan) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21 | 28 | 5 | 3 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| QPR (loan) | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Republic of Ireland U-21 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
Nothing has materialised after those initial links, but he would also bolster Duff’s options with a slightly different profile of player in the middle of the park compared to their other current options. The likes of Jonathon Hogg, Ben Wiles, Herbie Kane, and David Kasumu provide them with a decent mix of options, but Hodge would only add to it further.
They require more energy and athleticism in the middle of the park, which Hodge would bring in abundance, with his intensity well-suited to Duff’s style of play, as they look to make an immediate return to the second tier this season, despite fierce competition in League One, which starts with a tough test against another promotion hopeful in Peterborough.
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