A look at our Academy and B Team players currently out on loan in the EFL
- It's currently EFL Youth Development Week
- Looking at Town loanees being #RaisedInTheEFL
- Club currently have nine Young Terriers on EFL loans
In recognition of the EFL Youth Development Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the nine Young Terriers who are either from our Academy or within our B Team that are currently on loan within the EFL.
On loan across both Sky Bet League 1 and 2 at eight different clubs, our Young Terriers are gaining valuable experience being #RaisedInTheEFL, which is part of their development plan with Town.
Here is a breakdown of those players and their progress while out on loan, with quotes included from their adoptive clubs.
Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Rotherham United)
Spending the season out on loan at the top of Sky Bet League 1 with Rotherham United, the central defender has been in dominant from for the South Yorkshire side. Having signed a new long-term contract extension with Town, his development has been hugely helped by the consistent playing time received at League 1 level.
Paul Warne, head coach at Rotherham, has been supportive of his progression: "Young footballers get a bad reputation at times, yet he left a Championship team that he had played 20-odd league games for to come here to fight to play. Many players of less quality than him wouldn’t have done it. Hopefully, in the long run, coming here will have helped his career.”
Romoney Crichlow (Plymouth Argyle)
Having started the season out on loan at Swindon Town in Sky Bet League 2, the young defender stepped up to Sky Bet League 1 with Plymouth Argyle in January 2022 after impressing so much with the Robins in the first half of the season. Comfortable on the ball, the proactive styles of both Swindon and Plymouth have suited his game, which mirrors what would be asked of him at Town. Adapting to life with Plymouth well, Crichlow was named Man of the Match on debut.
Kieran Phillips (Exeter City)
Another who has signed a new long-term contract with Town after impressing out on loan, Phillips himself changed loan clubs in January, moving from Walsall to Exeter City, both in Sky Bet League 2. A tall forward with a real ability to finish off chances, he was available to develop his game at Walsall in different areas of their attack before concentrating on being a centre forward with Exeter.
Josh Austerfield and Brahima Diarra (Harrogate Town)
Both regulars in the Town B Team, the pair both joined Sky Bet League 2 side Harrogate Town in January 2022 for the remainder of the season. Austerfield - who has been developing his defensive ability in a back three at Town - is a ball playing holding midfielder by trade, whilst Frenchman Diarra is a livewire number ten – and already a fan favourite up in North Yorkshire!
Speaking about Diarra, Harrogate Town Manager Simon Weaver said: "Brahima has excited the fans. He provides something a little bit different. He's added a bit of flair and done really well so far."
Kian Harratt (Port Vale)
Top scorer in Town’s B Team, the young forward joined Port Vale on loan in January 2022 and made a spectacular start to life on loan, scoring a breathtaking diving header against Brentford in the FA Cup on debut. Recently voted Vale’s Player of the Month for January, time away within Sky Bet League 2 is giving Harratt chance to hone his skills against more experienced defenders.
Port Vale captain Tom Conlon commented: “He’s a good finisher, you can tell that already but as well as being a good finisher his attitude is bang on. He gives everything for the team, he runs his socks off and that’s all we can ask for.”
Ben Jackson (Doncaster Rovers)
Having impressed so much out on loan last season with Bolton Wanderers, the B Team captain spent the first part of the season developing his game within Jon Worthington’s side before joining Doncaster Rovers on loan in Sky Bet League 1 for the remainder of the season. A left-sided player, Jackson is an attacking full-back with an eye for goal from set pieces.
Nicholas Bilokapic (Hartlepool United)
Australian youth international Nicholas Bilokapic has been a regular figure on the substitutes bench for the First Team this season, making his Senior debut for Town in the FA Cup away to Premier League side Burnley after Ryan Schofield was forced off injured. Gaining some valuable experience out on loan in Sky Bet League 2, Bilokapic is yet to figure for Hartlepool after joining on deadline day, having been cup-tied for their trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
Commenting on his signing, Hartlepool manager Graeme Lee said: "Very pleased to get Nicholas in. He has come highly recommended as a great young talent. He has been amongst the first team all season and thanks to Huddersfield we have been able to get him in on deadline day."
Matty Daly (Bradford City)
Having started the season out on loan with Hartlepool United, the attacking midfielder became a useful member of the Pools squad, especially excelling in the Papa John’s Trophy, scoring on five occasions. With his two goals in the league to his name as well, the 20-year-old was Hartlepool’s top scorer in all competitions before being recalled in January 2022 to join Bradford, where he’s also found the net.
Bradford City manager Derek Adams said: “Matty is a player we have been tracking for a while. He was on our list and we have monitored him during his spell on loan at Hartlepool United, so it is great to have him arrive. We have been looking for midfield players to bring in who can contribute with goals and assists, and we are confident in Matty’s ability to do this.”
