Scouting report as Huddersfield Town sign goalkeeper Jak Alnwick from Cardiff City

The experienced stopper has joined Lee Grant's goalkeeping ranks after the departure of Owen Goodman

Huddersfield Town have confirmed the permanent signing of goalkeeper Jak Alnwick on undisclosed terms.

Alnwick joins Town on an 18-month contract from League One leaders Cardiff City, where he’s been playing since a move from St Mirren in 2022.

The 32 year old becomes the Terriers’ first signing of the January transfer window and has been brought in as back-up and competition for Lee Nicholls.

Owen Goodman has returned to Crystal Palace following the termination of his loan at Accu Stadium and Town have moved quickly to sign a goalkeeper as the first transfer under sporting director Chris Markham.

Town manager Lee Grant said in a club statement: “Jak is an experienced goalkeeper who will provide us with quality cover for Lee Nicholls in the second half of the season.

“Joining a unit that also includes Jacob Chapman, we’re pleased with the depth available to us and look forward to seeing Jak and Jacob working hard behind Lee.

“Having allowed Owen Goodman to return to his parent club, we felt that we needed a different profile of goalkeeper within the squad with Jak ticking many of the boxes we were looking for.

“A quality option with knowledge of the division, he’ll compliment the work Chris Elliott has been doing both on and off the training pitches.

“It’s really helpful to have this deal completed in good time this month giving us clarity across the goalkeeping department, and I’d like to be the first to welcome Jak to the club.”

Alnwick said: “This is a massive club and the opportunity was one that really excited me when the discussions first started.

“I’ve known Lee Nicholls for a long time [having both been involved at youth level for England] and look forward to working alongside him again on a regular basis, and I know how highly thought of Chris Elliott is too, so that’s another challenge that appealed to me.

“The ambitions of the club aren’t a secret, and having played at big clubs before and experienced that pressure, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed being a part of.

“With both Sky Bet League One and the Vertu Trophy to compete in there’ll be plenty of opportunities, and my job is to be ready when needed and contribute to the team in what we all hope is going to be a successful second half of the season for us all.”

Jak Alnwick scouting report

Grant hinted in his press conference on Wednesday that Nicholls is set to remain first choice, saying: “Right now, I’ve got to say, I’ve been delighted with Lee, delighted, so that’s going to put Owen in a situation where he’s going to be frustrated and perhaps looking at ‘how can I affect my situation?’ — because you have to be selfish about your own career and situation.”

Alnwick’s situation is different. With opportunities limited at Cardiff and at 32 years of age, he’s taken the chance to work with Nicholls and Grant slightly closer to home.

Where Goodman is young and raw but ambitious, Alnwick is an experienced professional with different priorities at this stage in his career.