Attacking midfielder to join the Terriers on 1 July 2016
- Jack Payne signs for Huddersfield Town- Southend United ‘Player of the Year’ to join on 1 July 2016
- Midfielder signs a three year contract
Huddersfield Town can confirm that Jack Payne will join the Club from Sky Bet League 1 side Southend United as a free agent on 1 July 2016.
21 year-old Payne, who plays in the ‘number 10’ slot just behind the main striker, has put pen to paper on a three year contract, with the Club having the option of a further season at that point.
As Jack is under 24 years old, Southend United is due compensation from Town.
Jack will arrive having made history with the Shrimpers in 2015/16, becoming the first player in the Club’s history to win the Shrimpers Trust Player of the Season, Junior Blues Player of the Season and Goal of the Season prizes at the conclusion of the campaign.
Standing at 5’ 5” tall, London-born Jack was on the books at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Southend United at Under-15 level.
He progressed through the youth system at Roots Hall ahead of making his professional debut in a Capital One Cup game at home to Yeovil Town on 6 August 2013. Jack made one start and 14 substitute appearances in that League 2 campaign.
Payne established himself further in the 2014/15 campaign, making 22 starts and 16 substitute appearances. He also notched eight goals in all competitions, the first two of which came on 2 September 2014 in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game against AFC Wimbledon.
That season culminated in promotion to Sky Bet League 1 for Southend United, with Jack playing in the Play-Off Final and stepping up to score a penalty in the deciding shootout against Wycombe Wanderers.
Jack then made 28 starts and seven substitute appearances in his debut Sky Bet League 1 campaign in 2015/16, scoring nine goals.
In total, he will arrive at Huddersfield Town having scored 17 goals in 52 starts and 36 substitute appearances.
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Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner commented:
“It’s great that we’ve been able to bring a player like Jack to Huddersfield, as many clubs were understandably interested in him.
"In my opinion he is probably one of the most interesting young British midfielders in the country and I am proud that we will have the chance to help him to develop his potential to his highest level in the future.
“Quality ‘number 10s’ are, in my opinion, the hardest players to find and it is not regular that players of Jack’s quality become available.
“Jack is already excellent technically and has a great record of scoring goals, but at just 21 he has lots of room to develop further. His desire to improve was very clear from our very first meeting and he will do that with us in the Championship.
“We will work hard with him in pre-season as he comes to understand our ideas and style on the pitch and I am sure he will be a big part of what we do in the coming season.”
An exclusive interview with new signing Jack will appear on HTTV shortly.
Welcome Jack to the Club on Twitter at @jackopayne1!
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