Huddersfield the 'right move', says Wells

Nahki Wells today became Bermuda’s first £1 million footballer after signing for Huddersfield Town on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The deal from Bradford City to the Championship club is believed to be worth around £1.5m plus add-ons, which is a club record fee for Town.

The striker, who helped City to promotion to League One and the final of the League Cup last season, has scored 15 goals already this term.

Reports suggest he has initially signed on loan to allow him to be available to make his debut against Millwall tomorrow. The permanent deal is, however, signed and sealed.

Premier League clubs had shown interest and it is understood Wolves had a bid turned down, while the likes of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest were rumoured to be circling. Wells, though, has opted to stay in Yorkshire and join the Terriers.

“It might surprise a few people but I just thought it was the right move for my football and career to learn my trade in the Championship,” Wells told SkySports.

“I see Huddersfield moving in the right direction and I just think it will work out well for me here. I had some great times at Bradford. I’m maybe not leaving on the best note but I’ve done what I can for Bradford and I’m on to a new chapter in my career and it’s with Huddersfield.”

The 23-year-old added that reaching the top flight with Huddersfield is now the dream.

“That’s why I chose Huddersfield. I think it can be a great platform to get there. The task at hand is to learn my trade in the Championship, stay level-headed, and do the best I can and hopefully that opportunity will come for me.”

Bradford fans expressed a mixture of outrage and support for their former hero’s decision — and Wells took to Twitter to offer his heartfelt thanks to the club and its supporters.

He tweeted: “I can not express how appreciative I am for everything Bradford City have done for me. Without them this opportunity would not have been possible. I loved every moment, from the lows to the highs of a league promotion.

“To the Bradford fans, you will always hold a special place in my heart. The support you have shown me has been outstanding from the beginning. I will miss my team-mates, management and the supporters and I wish you nothing but the best! - Love Nahki.”

He added on the club website: “To get everything signed and over the line is a massive relief. It's been a long day but it was well worth it. It was important that I picked my next club carefully, where I could develop my trade and I felt that Town offered me that. I love Bradford to bits, they did everything for me; I hope they remember me for the right reasons.”

Huddersfield are currently 13th in the Championship table five points off the playoffs and manager Mark Robins agreed the deal was a real coup for his club.

He said: “We think it is. It is a significant investment, which I have got to be thankful for, and Nahki will go out and he will prove it to be good business. 

“We are playing a decent brand of football at the moment and Nahki will add goals and will add a bit of swagger up front as well. I'm looking forward to working with him for the four and a half years he'll be here.” 

Read how the day developed for Nahki Wells in a recap of our live blog here.