Winger signs on loan with permanent summer deal
- Rajiv van La Parra joins Huddersfield Town
- Initially an Emergency Loan until 31 May
- Permanent transfer in the summer for an undisclosed fee
Huddersfield Town has today completed the signing of winger Rajiv van La Parra from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 24 year-old initially joins the Club on an Emergency Loan until 31 May 2016, with the transfer then becoming permanent for an undisclosed fee.
Van La Parra’s contract at Huddersfield Town will run until the summer of 2019, with the Club having the option of a further year’s extension at that stage.
A former Netherlands Under-21 international, van La Parra can play on either wing or in a more central attacking role.
He will take the number 24 shirt at the Club.
Huddersfield Town Head Coach David Wagner commented:
“I am really happy that we have been able to bring Rajiv to Huddersfield. He is one of the players that we targeted in the winter window, but we have had to be patient to get him here.
“He is a player we know well both as a player and a person, especially as Stuart Webber was involved in bringing him to England in his time at Wolves.
“We saw some of what he can do when we played Wolves last month. On one side he has good experience of the Championship, but on the other side he is a good age and has the chance to develop.
“It’s good that we get to work with him on the pitch for the final six weeks of the season and don’t have to wait until the summer. There is no pressure on him and he will get all the time he needs to get used to our idea, but when he does I believe we can help him realise the potential we all know he has.
“It is very important to have good options, particularly in the attacking areas. In our team the forwards are also our first defenders and must work very hard, so Rajiv’s arrival allows me to make good decisions and keep our players fresh and healthy.”
Born on 4 June 1991 in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, van La Parra comes from a big footballing family; he is a half-brother to Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, whilst former Everton wide-man Royston Drenthe is his cousin.
Rajiv started his footballing career in the Feyenoord youth system, but he moved to France to turn professional with Ligue 1 Caen. He spent three years at the Club, scoring twice in 29 appearances, before returning to his native land in 2011.
In Holland he joined SC Heerenveen, where he established himself in the First Team. He made a total of 96 appearances for the Eredivisie side – some of which came in the Europa League – and scored 16 times.
He moved to England to join newly promoted Sky Bet Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014, signing a three year contract.
He has subsequently made 43 starts and 14 substitute appearances for the Midlands club, scoring twice, with a further two goals in four starts and two substitute appearances during a short loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this season.
An exclusive first interview with Rajiv will appear on HTTV shortly!
Watch David Wagner's Town host league leaders Burnley on Saturday; click HERE for admission info!
