January 10, 2014 at 2:27 p.m.
Wells signs for Terriers in club record deal
Nahki Wells has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Championship side Huddersfield Town, leaving Bradford City for an undisclosed fee thought to be £1.5 million plus add-ons.
We've been live blogging through the day. Recap all the developments as they happened below.
*hit refresh button for latest update.
16:30 Okay team, that's me done for the live updates. Hope that's kept you up with all the news as Bermuda's Nahki Wells, 23, becomes the country's first million-pound footballer. From Dandy Town to the Championship - impressive stuff. A wrap-up story will be posted on our site asap and then we'll prepare ourselves for his possible debut against Millwall tomorrow. Almost goes without saying that everyone at The Sun wishes Nahki all the best at his new club.
16:04 Nahki has now taken to Twitter to send a personal message to Bradford fans. Nice touch.
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.
16:00 Last chance today to get in touch and have your say via email [email protected] or twitter @JamesBurtonSun
15:56
Steven Simons @BDA_Chosen_1
@nahkiwells on his record transfer to #Huddersfield Keep representing fam!! Big up to Bermy's own.
15:45 And here's a little more from Terriers manager Mark Robins:
We think it it (a coup). 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.
15:37 More from Nahki Wells on SkySports:
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.
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.
On getting to the Premier League
That’s why I chose Hudderfield. I think it can be a great platform to get there. The task at hand is to learn my trade in the Chamionship, stay level headed, and do the best I can and hopefully that opportunity will come for me.
15:16 First words from Nahki himself via 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 reason.
15:09 Appears he has signed on loan initially so he can play against Millwall but the permanent deal is all done and dusted.
14:58 Wells is available immediately and could make his debut against Millwall tomorrow.
14:51 Nahki's new manager Mark Robins on capturing the Bermuda goal machine:
We have tracked the progress of Nahki for some time and we are delighted that we have secured his signature. At just 23 he has huge potential, which he has proven at Bradford in the last two seasons. He fits into our ethos of buying young, hungry players who have experience and that we can develop.
His goal scoring record over the last 18 months is hugely impressive and we believe that he is ready to make the step up to the Championship. He will excite our fans and has already shown them what he can do with his goal in the Capital One Cup. I believe he will offer our frontline something different and I can’t wait to watch him in action for Huddersfield Town.
For a young man he has already achieved a lot in his career having reached the Capital One Cup Final and promotion with Bradford.
His achievements and potential meant that he was coveted by a host of Premier League and Championship clubs and I am delighted that he has chosen to join us.
14:46 And here's proof. Nahki looking all boasty with his new shirt. Kept his favourite #21 as well. Nice.
14:37 Huddersfield Daily Examiner saying fee is 'over £1.3m'. Reports elsewhere suggest it's closer to £1.5m plus add-ons. It's going up!
14:33 Here we go...confirmation from Huddersfield Town. Means the transfer fee is at least £1.2m.
Huddersfield Town @htafcdotcom
#htafc have completed the signing of Nakhi Wells for an undisclosed Club record fee on a four and a half year deal - more to follow!
14:14 The day's other Bermuda-related football story is that Reggie Lambe will be supplying the crosses for England striker Jermain Defoe next MLS season after the Spurs man agreed a £6m switch to Toronto FC. Great opportunity for Reggie.
13:52 Slow Friday afernoon behind your desk? Get in touch and let me know what you think of Nahki Wells being close to completing his move to Championship side Huddersfield Town. Get in touch via email [email protected] or twitter @JamesBurtonSun
13:43 For those slightly underwhelmed with Nahki's choice of Huddersfield, this just in from Paul Boanas, who works for Prozone Sports, the football performance analysis company used by the majority of the top clubs in England.
If the deal goes through @JamesBurtonSun, he is joining a progressive, forward thinking club with big ambitions on and off the field.
13:35 Update from the man with his finger on the pulse, the T&A's Simon Parker. He's saying there are still details to be sorted out regarding Wells' contract with Huddersfield and that it 'may take a little while yet'.
13:14 This from the Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Just a matter of when now it seems...
Nahki Wells is expected to lead the Huddersfield Town attack against Millwall at the John Smith's Stadium tomorrow as paperwork on his proposed record transfer is expected to reach completion in the next few hours.
12:41 Bit more for Capt. Mike Hitch via Twitter.
@JamesBurtonSun Gutted to see him go but thank him from the bottom of my heart for the last couple of years. Bradford legend status assured.
12:33 @SKyBetFL have announced they have 'suspended betting on Nahi Wells joining Huddersfield after heavy betting at odds as short as 1/10'.
12:28 Here's some Twitter chat. What do YOU think?Capt. Mike Hitch @captmikehitch
What's the feeling amongst Bermudans to Wells moving to Huddersfield? Not exactly a high profile club!
@captmikehitch Most I think had more glam destination in mind tbh, especially with all talk of Prem clubs interested. It's a solid move for him though and I'll think he'll do well. Championship footy was the goal and he's going to get it.
12:24
Incidentally, Nahki today has won Bermuda Sun's 2013 Sports Poll, collecting the most votes for Best Sportsman and Best One-off Performance for becoming the first Bermudian to score at Wembley.
11:54 Dave Elliott, via email, wrote:
I would have been much happier if he was going to the MIGHTY Sheffield Wednesday but unfortunately we cannot afford him. There has been a lot of speculation but I don’t think Huddersfield is a bad move for him. I think he will link up well with James Vaughan who has scored 12 already this season.
Interesting thoughts there, Dave. Vaughan, of course, burst on to the scene as a young striker at Everton. Now 25, he's having a good season with the Terriers.
11:34 Okay, I think we're up to speed. Nothing's been finalised or confirmed by either club as yet but Nahki is believed to have gone to Huddersfield to discuss personal terms. Some reports say an undisclosed transfer fee has been agreed. Would love to hear what you think about the prospect of Nahki moving up to the Championship to play for Huddersfield. Get in touch via email [email protected]or twitter @JamesBurtonSun. In the meantime, I'm off to boost my caffeine levels. Will be with you again shortly.
11:30
Quotes from Bradford City manager in the T&A this morning made it perfectly clear Nahki was on his way.
We’re not encouraging it but in Nahki’s mind, this is a window when he does want to go and it looks like that will probably happen. With the greatest respect, and he’d be the first to admit, his performances of late have been indifferent. He has found it difficult to cope with the speculation.
11:24
@nahkiwells Good luck in the future. You've done more than enough for Bradford and with a heavy heart I wish you a fantastic career.
11:19
11:17
Jevon I'd like to see @nahkiwells go to QPR and work under Harry Rednapp for a couple seasons then play BPL football.
11:02
Some of you may be wondering where exactly Huddersfield is? Well, it's not far from Bradford. It's still in Yorkshire. As the crow flies, it's 11 miles south and the quickest train journey appears to be 39 mins. The bus, according to timetables, takes 42 mins which makes the train journey appear rather slow but, anyway, you get the idea. It's close.
10:57 Earlier City reporter Simon Parker, of the Bradford T&A, tweeted this:
Don't believe there are any other players involved in Wells deal with #htafc. Would imagine #bcafc have back-up plan ready
10:40 Few facts about where the Terriers are currently at. They are managed by former Manchester United manager Mark Robins and are currently 13th in the Championship, five points off the play-off places. They've won one of their past six league games and recently narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset at the hands of Grimsby Town, winning 3-2 in the end at Blundell Park.
10:53 One of BBC Radio Leeds' twitter accounts is reporting that Nahki is expected to complete the paperwork on the move tonight in time to make his debut against Millwall on Saturday.
10:40 Couple of tweets from upset Bradford fans already.
@JamesBurtonSun Sadly, Nahki has let himself down by not aiming higher, and let us #bcafc fans down by moving to them. #terribleallround
@JamesBurtonSun Looks like the Bermudians won't be seeing much of Nakhi Wells on TV - Uddersfield hasn't even got electricity yet!
10:31 So then Bermuda football fans. We've all woken up to reports that our man Nahki Wells is close to a move to Huddersfield Town in the Championship. Nothing has been confirmed yet but details are emerging all the time. I'll do my best to keep you updated. In the meantime, what do you think of the prospect of Nahki going to to Huddersfield? Email me at [email protected] or reach me on twitter @JamesBurtonSun.
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