‘We knew Nahki was goal-den’

Huddersfield Town were tracking Nahki Wells for more than 18 months before they splashed out a club-record fee to sign the Bermudian striker from bitter rivals Bradford.

Wells on Saturday made it two in two since becoming the island’s first million pound footballer, scoring Town’s goal in the 2-1 defeat to high-flying QPR.

The Terriers’ head of football operations — and newly-appointed director — Ross Wilson told the Bermuda Sun the player’s explosive start came as no surprise and said the club’s extensive scouting meant they knew him ‘inside out’ even before he moved to the Championship club.

“I’ve been at the club 18 months and he’s always been someone we watched – and beyond that. When I was at Watford he was someone we kept tabs on as well.”

The 23-year-old Wells again displayed his trademark predatory eye for goal at Loftus Road and Wilson, who worked with Malky Mackay at Watford before moving to Yorkshire, says it was always clear in the club’s mind he was ready for the Championship.

“We were not surprised because we think we know him inside out. We did a lot of scouting about him and the management knew everything he could do. We didn’t buy him to have an impact in 12 months time – that’s why we paid the money we did.”

He added: “In terms of his impact – he has settled in very, very well, He’s a fine young boy, he’s very, very humble and has settled in very quickly down at the training ground.

“Everything we do here is to a high level. Nahki’s embraced all that and taken it all on board. It feels like he’s been here a lot longer than the 12/13 days he has been here and he’s taken it all in his stride.

“He’s very focused and very humble. He knows what he wants to achieve in his career and has gone on record as saying that, and we see him improving within our structure here.”

Wilson explained how the former Dandy Town front man fits the club and the manager Mark Robins’ model of signing talented, young and hungry players.

He strongly believes the striker is joining a club going places and points to the ‘beautiful’ stadium and the new state-of-the-art training facilities as well as the young, ambitious owner, millionaire Town fan Dean Hoyle, and the youthful staff — Wilson himself is only 32 — as proof of an modern, energetic set-up in which Wells can thrive.

Wilson said: “He’s 23, and he’s definitely hungry because he wants to play at the highest level he can – and we hope we can go there together. 

“He’s very, very ambitious, he’s quick, technically good, has good game understanding and he wants to improve. You could tell in his general play at Bradford he was always looking to get better.” He added: “The great thing about Nahki is he’s a well-educated, intelligent young man and he already knew about the club and the ambition here.

“I can’t speak for Nahki but I don’t think it took him very long to decide to join.”