Beckford joins Huddersfield as Rhodes loses his manager

Huddersfield Town have signed Leicester striker Jermaine Beckford on a 93-day emergency loan.

The 28-year-old, who had been linked with a return to former club Leeds United, will be reunited with Simon Grayson, his manager at Elland Road, on a deal that runs until December 29.

A prolific goalscorer with Leeds, finding the net 72 times in 131 league appearances, Beckford has not settled with the Foxes, whom he joined from Everton after struggling to make an impact in the Barclays Premier League.

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Grayson told the Terriers’ official website: “Jermaine is a good footballer and he adds something different to the squad.

“The players we have at the squad all have different qualities and Jermaine is a natural goalscorer – his record speaks for itself.

“Having that variation in the squad is perfect for me as manager as it allows the team to adapt to different situations.”

Town have defied the critics who said they were a one-man team last season when 40-goal striker Jordan Rhodes helped take them up to the Championship via a Wembley penalty shoot-out defeat of Sheffield United.

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Despite Rhodes leaving for Blackburn Rovers for £8m, Town have risen to second in the table.

Rhodes, meanwhile, finds himself without a manager after Blackburn boss Steve Kean quit last night.

Kean’s troubled reign as Blackburn manager came to an end as he resigned from his role, saying in a statement that he had been “forced” out and that his position had become “untenable”.

The Scot has been a much-derided figure at Ewood Park for the duration of his near two-year spell in charge, with the low point being relegation from the Premier League in May.

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But despite poor results on the pitch, Kean retained the backing of the club’s owners, Venky’s – much to the fury of supporters who regularly protested against him.

Meanwhile, the Dubai-based firm leading the proposed takeover of Leeds has spoken for the first time.

In a statement, three members of senior management at GFH Capital Limited – the company heading up the proposed buy-out of Leeds – emphasised their intent to reach a deal to acquire a majority stake from current chairman and owner Ken Bates.

The employees of GFH Capital involved in last night’s announcement – directors Salem Patel and Hisham Alrayes and deputy chief executive officer David Haigh – all attended last Saturday’s game between Leeds and Nottingham Forest.

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They gave their support for manager Neil Warnock and said the repurchase of United’s Elland Road stadium from its private owners would be part of their future plan.

Haigh said: “As a club, Leeds United has it all – passionate fans, a great heritage and masses of potential to return to the Premier League with the right, sustainable investment.”

Former Red Devil Norwood quickly feels at home at Huddersfield: Page 3.