B Team midfielder transitions to First Team
- Jon Russell moves from B Team to First Team
- Midfielder follows in footsteps of other current First Team players
- Comments from Head of Football Operations Leigh Bromby
Huddersfield Town midfielder Jon Russell has officially graduated from the B Team to the First Team!
A huge moment for any Academy player – Jon has shown nothing but hard work and dedication since his arrival at Canalside in July 2021.
After making 11 appearances for the B Team, one of which included scoring two goals against Watford in the Premier League Cup, Russell caught the eye of Carlos Corberán.
Six First Team appearances and one (allowed) goal later, the decision has been made for him to be permanently integrated into the First Team squad.
View this post on Instagram
Academy graduations come about when the First Team players feel that a youngster has shown themselves to be one of their own. Jon’s comes under unusual circumstances, given the short period that he’s been at the Club. However, at the behest of the First Team players and staff, it is believed that now is the right time for him to make that step.
Since his arrival in HD2, Jon’s incredible work ethic both on and off the pitch, and in his Individual Development Plan sessions, have shown that he showcases the culture and values of Huddersfield Town.
With three Man of the Match awards under his belt already, he’s become a fast fan favourite!
The midfielder follows in the footsteps of other current First Team players, including Sorba Thomas, who spent six months in the B Team changing room before having his breakthrough season during the current campaign.
Everyone at the Club is delighted for Jon, and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Commenting on the decision, Town’s Head of Football Operations, Leigh Bromby, commented:
“It’s important that our Academy players understand that making one First Team appearance doesn’t make you a First Team player - stepping into the senior setup is about much more than that.
“Performances on the pitch plays a big part in that, but there’s loads of other factors, like how you conduct yourself around Canalside on a daily basis, your commitment to the things you need to do off the field to be a successful footballer at Championship and above, and the way you represent the Club as a person.
“I understand that fans won’t see a lot of that, but it’s vitally important.
“Jon is an example of a player who’s done that as quickly as any that we’ve had here, and he’s fully deserved it.
“However, that doesn’t mean that his development will now stop.
“The staff and coaches here will continue to ensure that he builds on the impressive start that he’s had at Town, but it says a lot about him that the senior group feel that he’s ready for this step so early.”
