Scouting report as Huddersfield Town sign free agent Lynden Gooch

The versatile wide man, formerly of Sunderland and Stoke, looks set to compete with Lasse Sorensen for a place on the Terriers right

Huddersfield Town have announced Lynden Gooch as their ninth signing of the summer transfer window.

The US international, 29, is capable of playing in a number of different roles but has predominantly featured as a winger, wing-back or full-back, and has particularly found himself playing in the lattermost role in recent years.

Gooch’s contract at Stoke expired at the end of June, so he was available as a free agent. He has signed a three-year deal with the Terriers.

The new signing has flown straight out to Austria to join up with the rest of the Town squad on their pre-season training camp.

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Grant commented: “Lynden is another important addition to the squad, bringing us quality and strong competition at right-back.

“Despite offers to stay in the Championship, he has bought in to our vision and ambition, and I’m looking forward to seeing him contribute to our collective goals.

“An attack-minded player, his approach to the game compliments how we want to compete, so I’m really happy to get this deal done and have Lynden within the group well before the season begins. Already with us in Austria, he’s now able to spend meaningful time with his new teammates from day one.

“His experience will be invaluable both on and off the pitch for the group, and he’s another player who knows how it feels to not only be promoted from this league, but the hard work and dedication it requires to get there. A tenacious character, he’ll be a player our supporters enjoy watching represent them, too.”

Gooch added: “Firstly, I’m really happy to have this move complete, and I can’t wait to get involved with pre-season as soon as possible.

“I had time to assess my options this summer and really think about where I wanted the next step of my career to be, and after speaking to Lee Grant, I had no doubt that Huddersfield Town was the right club to join.

“I’m an ambitious person and hungry to compete, and that’s exactly what I see across the squad here, too. I’ve been promoted from this league before and want to have that feeling again, and I know that’s what everyone at the club is going to be fighting for.

“The supporters here have always been amazing to play against, so I’m excited to now be on their side. We have a big challenge ahead, but my full focus is on making sure the club and our fans are happy at the end of the season.”

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

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Lynden Gooch scouting report and We Are Terriers reaction

It’s probably no coincidence that Town waited for Brodie Spencer to depart the club before moving for Gooch — or that they acted so quickly following the Northern Irishman’s transfer to Oxford United.

Though we may be wrong, our assumption is that Gooch has been signed to compete with Lasse Sorensen and youngster Neo Eccleston for a right-back place.

The 29-year-old was hugely popular at Sunderland. A regular provider of goals, creativity and pace on the flank, the US international sealed his legacy by scoring the winning goal at Wembley in the 2021 EFL Trophy final. He then helped the Black Cats to secure promotion to the Championship the following year.

Tony Mowbray said, after Gooch’s departure for Stoke in 2023: “Lynden has a wonderful personality. He's very driven. He wanted to play in every game, he wanted to win every five-a-side, and he was very involved and wrapped up in every training session, never mind every game.

“He's a very valuable footballer… I like Goochy. Everyone at this club likes Goochy.”