Joe Taylor scouting report: Luton striker joins Huddersfield in permanent move

The long-standing centre-forward target has arrived at the John Smith's Stadium

Joe Taylor has been announced as Huddersfield Town’s second signing of the January transfer window, arriving on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

The striker had been a target for Town in the summer, but Luton were ultimately unwilling to part with Taylor’s services at that time.

Taylor has signed a contract through to summer 2029, and Town are hoping he can help solve their long-standing goalscoring issues.

The Welsh youth international, 22, impressed on loan at League One level with Lincoln City last season, scoring 10 goals in 19 appearances after moving on loan in January.

Taylor will wear the number 22 shirt for Town.

Town sporting director Mark Cartwright said in a club statement: “We’ve had to remain extremely patient to get this deal complete, and we’re really pleased that the hard work done alongside Luton Town has allowed Joe to join us.

“With a lot of interest in him across both Sky Bet League One and the Championship, it’s an exciting addition to make, especially after coming so close to acquiring his services in the summer.

“His goalscoring record at this level speaks for itself, but his overall game is something we find attractive, as he adds something completely different to our forward options. We made no secret of our desire to address the top end of the pitch and Joe has always been a key target for us, with chairman Kevin Nagle providing his full backing in order to make this deal possible.

“A hungry player who wants to play and score as much as possible, our desire to bring him to the club was completely matched by his enthusiasm to be part of what we’re trying to build, which is what we’ve wanted to see from everyone we’ve brought through the door.”

Head coach Michael Duff added: “Knowing how hard the club have worked on this deal for some time, I’m delighted to see Joe finally unveiled as a Huddersfield Town player and I’m excited to get working with him.

“The way he completed last season on loan with Lincoln City at this level right at the top of the league speaks to his character and will to succeed, and those are values we want to see in our players - you can never have too many winners in your group.

“We have wanted to add to our forward line since the summer, but only with the right profile and standard of player, and we believe Joe is just that. With a lot of important football left to play, we look forward to Joe contributing between now and the end of the season.”

Taylor said: “The ambition of the club was really attractive to me, and after speaking to the sporting director and head coach, I was left with no doubt in my mind about the decision I wanted to make.

“I’ve kept an eye on results since the summer and the form we are in is really impressive. Walking around the stadium and training ground there’s no hiding from the size of the club, either. We are in a really promising position in the table with the most important part of the season to come, and that’s something I want to be part of and contribute to.

“It’s a league I know well and have enjoyed playing in, and I hope I can make a difference when it matters most to get our supporters out of their seats.”

---

Joe Taylor scouting report and We Are Terriers reaction

Taylor’s move is no surprise, but Town had been unable to get it done in the summer with Luton unwilling to let him go after missing out on a centre-forward target of their own.

The club have made no secret of their desire to sign a new centre-forward since the summer, and have not exactly been cock-a-hoop with the return they have got from their current options.

Town have remained persistent in their pursuit of Taylor, though, and kept plugging away outside the transfer window in a bid to get the deal done. The club and owner have opened up their wallet to get it done, while Taylor spoke in his first interview with the club about being kept in the loop by Cartwright throughout the season.

So what are Town getting in Taylor? And we mean, come on, let’s face it, he’s a centre-forward, so there’s only one thing you’re really interested in, right? The goals.

Good news there, then: he scores them.