Jack Whatmough scouting report as Huddersfield Town sign Preston defender

The former Portsmouth and Wigan centre-back has joined the Terriers on a two year deal

Huddersfield Town have confirmed Preston North End centre-back Jack Whatmough as their latest summer signing.

The 28 year old has joined for an undisclosed fee and signed a two-year deal at the Accu Stadium.

A Portsmouth academy graduate, Whatmough represented Pompey until departing in 2021.

Whatmough was a standout performer as Wigan topped the League One table in his first season at the club, but he opted to terminate his contract in 2023 following their relegation from the Championship after the then-troubled Latics had failed to pay their players on time on multiple occasions during the season.

Preston then picked up Whatmough as a free agent, but he has not nailed down a consistent starting place for North End and now joins the Terriers in search of more regular football.

Grant said in a club statement: “Jack is an experienced player enjoying the best years of his career, with a track record of being a winner and leader within successful dressing rooms. Another strong addition at the back, I’m delighted to have him with us in the opening weeks of pre-season.

“Having now spent a number of years playing at Sky Bet Championship level, he shares our ambition of returning to that standard, with his experience of playing significant roles in promotion winning sides a real positive for us in what is a relatively young group by design.

“To have not only rebuilt the defence, but now created competition for places within that area, it’s a really strong position for us to be in before our upcoming trip to Austria. Another strong person and player to add to our group, I’m looking forward to working closely with Jack going forward

Whatmough added: “I’m really excited about this move, and I knew that this was the right Club to join after speaking to manager Lee Grant about the ambition he had for this season and beyond.

“I’ve played in successful, promotion winning teams before, and know the commitment and desire it takes from everyone within the group to make that happen. I don’t think it’s any secret that the club want to be back in the Sky Bet Championship next season, so that’s a goal I share and pressure I’m looking forward to thriving from.

“The supporters here have always been impressive as an opposition player, and I’m looking forward to being on their side going forward. This is a big club that’s aiming high, so I couldn’t be happier to be here."

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More scouting reports: Ryan Ledson | Marcus Harness | Joe Low | Sean Roughan | Josh Feeney | Murray Wallace | Owen Goodman

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Jack Whatmough scouting report and We Are Terriers reaction

With Radinio Balker and Brodie Spencer already in-house, Whatmough is the fifth new recruit of the summer capable of playing at centre-back after Sean Roughan, Joe Low, Josh Feeney, and Murray Wallace.

Whatmough’s arrival should now give Lee Grant yet another very solid option in what looked to be a potential problem position at the start of the summer.