Antony Evans scouting report: Bristol Rovers POTY arrives at Huddersfield Town

The 25 year old midfielder is the Terriers' fourth signing of the summer transfer window

Huddersfield Town have confirmed the signing of goalscoring midfield playmaker Antony Evans from League One rivals Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The 25 year old has signed a three-year deal at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Head coach Michael Duff said in a club statement: “I couldn’t be happier to have Antony join, and I’m looking forward to seeing him get involved with the rest of the team straight away. One of the best players in the division last season, his consistency, productivity and attitude hugely appeal to us.

“Technically capable, physically imposing and with a great track record, his energy is exactly what you want to introduce at the this stage of the summer. Now entering his prime, Antony was a leader for Bristol Rovers and was someone his teammates learned to rely on, so he ticks all of our boxes as both a person and professional.”

Sporting director Mark Cartwright added: “Antony has been one of our primary targets this summer, and we’re really happy to have got the deal done in good time at the start of the window. Getting him in alongside Lasse, Mickel and Herbie at this stage gives the squad a new feeling to begin pre-season, which was the intention.

“Getting stronger in priority areas, we spoke publicly when appointing Michael that he would be given a team capable of playing his football and being competitive, which is backed up by three new signings this week. Coming off the best season of his career to date, I’m excited to see how much Antony can grow in his time with the Club.”

Evans said: “I’m over the moon to sign for Huddersfield Town, and I’m really looking forward to knuckling down and getting ready for the season ahead alongside my new teammates.

“The ambition of the Club is clear to see, and this is a journey I want to be part of. After speaking to the Sporting Director and Head Coach, I had a great feeling about joining, and my full focus is now on repaying that faith.

“Things came together for me on the pitch last season and I feel really good about my game. I’m confident in my ability, but I also have a real hunger to improve. Working hard under Michael Duff and buying into everything available to me at the Club, I can’t wait to see where that takes me.”

Evans is Town’s fourth first-team signing of the summer, following wing-backs Lasse Sorensen and Mickel Miller and fellow creative midfielder Herbie Kane.

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Antony Evans career to date

Evans got his football education at Everton but never made a first-team appearance for them, going out on half-season loans to League Two Morecambe in 2017 and League One Blackpool in 2019 before departing Goodison Park in January 2020.

Evans instead found a new home with then-Bundesliga side Paderborn (a club with an oddly large number of coincidental connection to Huddersfield Town in recent years - what’s that about?), but was unable to help steer them away from the drop. Evans went out on loan to League One Crewe the following January and left in summer 2021 having struggled to impose himself on Paderborn’s first team.

Then-fourth tier side Bristol Rovers came calling for Evans’ services, and this time the move stuck. The midfielder was an immediate hit, claiming ten goals and 12 assists in League Two in his first season at the club to help them finish third and thus win promotion to League One.

Among Evans’ individual tally that season were two goals and an assist in the 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United on the final day that saw Rovers achieve automatic promotion on goals scored at Northampton’s expense. Evans scored goals four and five and set up the crucial seventh.

Evans has grabbed a further 11 goals and nine assists across the past two seasons in League One, and was named Bristol Rovers’ Player of the Season last season.

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Antony Evans scouting report

Remember how we wrote this in the Herbie Kane scouting report the other day?

“Long-term podcast listeners will know we have repeatedly lamented Town’s lack of a ball-playing number eight: a player with technical quality who plays between the thirds and is capable of delivering a killer final pass.

“Well, good news for everyone: we can shut up about that now, because that’s what Kane will bring to Town’s midfield.”

Well, more good news for everyone: we can double shut up about that now, because with Evans on board, now they have two.