Huddersfield Town transfer business goes on with Marcus McGuane signing: scouting report

The Bristol City midfielder is the latest new addition to Lee Grant's squad

Huddersfield Town have confirmed Bristol City midfielder Marcus McGuane as their 11th signing of the summer transfer window.

The 26 year old has joined for an undisclosed fee on a three year contract.

A former Arsenal and Barcelona youth player, McGuane spent three years at Oxford United — the first on loan from Nottingham Forest — and helped them win promotion from League One in 2023/24 before joining Bristol City last summer.

Terriers manager Lee Grant said in a club statement: “Marcus has the right profile, pedigree and hunger to come into our group and be a positive influence both on and off the pitch.

“I’ve been impressed by his commitment and mentality throughout his career which aligns with that of our group. I’m delighted to bring another important piece of the puzzle in before the season begins, with our preparation in full flow.

“A creative, committed and capable presence in the centre of the pitch, Marcus will help provide us with great energy and drive at the heart of our team. He has the knowledge of how to be successful in this division and of course, shares our hunger to push the Club forward this season towards our ultimate aims.

“From our initial conversations I could feel Marcus had a real desire to be part of this journey, so we couldn’t be happier to have him here with us.”

McGuane said: “I’m really happy to have this move complete, and I couldn’t be happier to become a Huddersfield Town player at a really exciting time for the club.

“After speaking to the manager and finding out about his goals for the season ahead, all of the ambition across the club and everything we’re trying to achieve on and off the pitch, I knew this was a team I wanted to be part of. The football we want to play sounds perfect for my game, and I’m ready to get going with the season a couple of week away.

“This is a difficult league and we have a long season ahead, but the experience of succeeding despite that is one I’m desperate to enjoy again. I will give everything I have for the club and our supporters, and you’ll see that commitment every time I’m chosen to represent you.

“We have a hugely talented squad full of great players, and I’m looking forward to working hard alongside them to make sure we achieve what we want to this season.”

---

More scouting reports: Ryan Ledson | Marcus Harness | Joe Low | Sean Roughan | Josh Feeney | Murray Wallace | Owen Goodman | Jack Whatmough | Lynden Gooch | Alfie May

---

Marcus McGuane scouting report

Oxford fans will tell you that McGuane never stopped running, even though he was still a bit raw during his first couple of seasons at the Kassam Stadium.

McGuane excelled during Liam Manning’s short but successful time in charge at the club, prompting the manager to take him to Bristol City following Oxford’s promotion into the Championship in 2023/24 — despite the midfielder falling out of favour under Manning’s replacement, Des Buckingham.

Manning said after McGuane’s move to Ashton Gate: "He was outstanding in those first 15 games we had at Oxford last season, and I am looking forward to working with him again."

McGuane was in and out of a Bristol City side that finished fifth in the Championship last season, and Manning has moved on again for Norwich City. It is perhaps a natural time for McGuane to depart, too.

So what can McGuane offer Town as he returns to League One? We’ve looked at McGuane’s stats both for Bristol City in the Championship last season and for Oxford in his last third-tier season, in 2023/24, to try and get as clear an idea as possible.