Striker moves on loan deal from Leicester
Huddersfield Town has today bolstered its forward options by bringing striker Jermaine Beckford to the Club on an emergency loan from Leicester City.
Beckford is well known to manager Simon Grayson, having worked under him at Leeds United for 18 months as the striker gained his reputation as a prolific goal-getter. Standing at 6’2” tall, London-born Beckford is a two-time League 1 Player of the Year and has an impressive record of 119 goals in 264 career appearances.
The 28 year-old striker joins Town on a 93 day emergency loan, keeping him at the Club until 29 December inclusive. As the paperwork was completed this evening, subject to league clearance tomorrow morning, he is available for selection for Saturday’s npower Championship game at home to Watford and takes the number 21 shirt at Huddersfield Town.
Huddersfield Town Manager Simon Grayson is delighted to welcome Jermaine to the Club:
“Jermaine is a good footballer and he adds something different to the squad. The players we have at the squad all have different qualities and Jermaine is a natural goalscorer – his record speaks for itself. Having that variation in the squad is perfect for me as Manager as it allows the team to adapt to different situations.
“I want competition for places and the addition of Jermaine gives us strength in depth – hopefully he can help us build on the successful start we have made to this season.
“Everyone at the Club has had a tough time trying to get this deal over the line; not just on August transfer deadline day, but also in the last 24 hours.
“Jermaine comes straight into the squad for Saturday’s game against Watford.”
Beckford was part of Chelsea’s youth setup in his formative years but was released by the Premier League giants and took his first steps into senior football at part-time Ryman Premier League side Wealdstone.
35 goals in just 40 appearances for the Club brought him to the attention of several clubs and after a trial at Crystal Palace he signed for Leeds United under Kevin Blackwell in March 2006 amid reported interest from Palace, Southampton, Chelsea and Watford.
Jermaine spent two months on loan at npower League 1 side Carlisle United in late 2006 before furthering his League experience with another loan at Scunthorpe United in 2007, where he played every game as Nigel Adkins’ side were crowned Champions of League 1 – scoring eight goals in the process.
His big break into the Leeds team came in the 2007/08 season, which heralded 20 goals in 47 appearances and a new three year contract. At the end of that terrific season he was crowned ‘League 1 Player of the Year’ for the first time, as well as winning the ‘Goal of the Year’ accolade at the Football League Awards.
A further 34 goals followed next season, which saw him voted the PFA League 1 Fans’ Player of the Year.
His 31 goals in the 2009/10 season helped Leeds finish second, gaining promotion to the Championship.
31 goals in the 2009/10 as Leeds finished second and gained promotion to the Championship, attracting interest from Championship Newcastle United mid-season. Newcastle United had shown an interest in him mid-season and the player allowed his contract at Elland Road to run out before joining Premier League Everton in the summer of 2010.
Despite 10 goals in just 18 starts and 22 sub apps for the Toffees, Jermaine moved on to Championship side Leicester City for a reported fee of £2.5 million in August 2011 - where he netted 15 goals in 46 appearances in last year’s Championship.
The terms of his agreement mean he cannot feature against his parent club, Leicester City, when they play Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
Get your ticket for Saturday's home clash with Watford online and print it at home - click HERE!
