David Wagner's contacts book proving beneficial for Huddersfield Town after loan capture of Liverpool's Danny Ward

IT HELPS when you have friends in high places in the Premier League.
Huddersfield Town manager, David Wagner, has brought in Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal. Picture: Bruce RollinsonHuddersfield Town manager, David Wagner, has brought in Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Huddersfield Town manager, David Wagner, has brought in Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

In that respect, Huddersfield Town have most definitely been the beneficiaries after securing the services of highly-rated Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan to take their tally of first-team squad close-season recruits up to a hefty 11.

Head coach David Wagner, a close friend of Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, persuaded his compatriot of the merits of Wales international Ward heading to the John Smith’s Stadium as opposed to elsewhere – despite plenty of rival interest, including from Celtic.

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Ward will join up with Town ahead of their pre-season camp in Austria on July 23 after being allowed extra time off following his memorable exertions with the Wales squad who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 – the 23-year-old featuring in the Red Dragons’ opening group victory against Slovakia in Bordeaux on June 11.

It has already proved an eventful summer for the Wrexham-born player after he agreed terms on a new five-year deal ahead of joining Huddersfield for the 2016-17 campaign. Liverpool visit Town for a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, July 20.

Ward was rewarded with an improved deal following an eye-catching 12 months that saw him impress in a loan stint at Aberdeen before being recalled by Klopp in January and installed as Simon Mignolet’s deputy.

But with Liverpool having now brought in Mainz’s Loris Karius to battle it out with Mignolet, Ward has been allowed to continue his footballing development at Town.

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On bringing in the Welshman, who started two Premier League matches late last season for Liverpool, Wagner said: “I’ve spoken before about using the loan market to bring special talent to the club and Danny is another great example of this, following closely on from Aaron Mooy’s arrival.

“That is why there was such strong competition to take Danny. He is a goalkeeper that Liverpool rate very highly, which is why he has signed a new long-term contract at the club.

“He did very well out on loan last season and I believe we can help him take the next step in his career this season.

“He is good with the ball at his feet, which is important in our style, but most importantly he is excellent at keeping the ball out of his net.”

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Ward, well known to Town’s Head of Football Operations Stuart Webber, who first took him to Wrexham as a 14-year-old, will find competition for the first-choice spot provided by fellow summer signing Joel Coleman, who joined from Oldham.

Despite a hectic summer, Town’s transfer activity is not yet over with the club linked with a move for young Chelsea attacking midfielder Kasey Palmer, 19.