Huddersfield Town granted academy status in major step forward for chairman Kevin Nagle's plans

After a rigorous assessment process, the Terriers have been granted catergory three academy status for 2024-25.

They abandoned a traditional academy set-up in favour of a B team in 2020, but on buying the club last summer, Nagle was keen to restore it as soon as possible.

Although new to English football, Nagle has owned American second-tier club Sacramento Republic for over a decade.

“Investing in our youth and future is of great strategic importance to what we’re trying to achieve as a club long-term, with chairman Kevin Nagle a huge believer in that philosophy," said chief executive Jake Edwards.

“We are proud of how our existing academy staff have embraced this challenge and passed the necessary tests with flying colours, and this gives us a platform from which to build going forward.

“Supporters will now begin to see changes, with new infrastructure planned to support our staff and players to give them the best possible chance of succeeding in the future.”

Former player Jon Worthington, who had a brief spell as caretaker-manager of the first team, is Huddersfield's academy manager.

“Our job is now to create an environment in which young footballers can learn, develop and grow, building themselves into Huddersfield Town first-team players of the future, whilst learning and adopting the beliefs and principles of our club," he said.

“As a product of our youth system, I know first hand just how important these early years can be both personally and professionally, and we will be doing everything in our power to ensure our academy is built to compete and enrich.”

Under English football's Elite Professional Performance Programme, clubs have to follow strict criteria to be categorised as an academy, with category one the elite, down to four.

Most category three clubs are in League Ones and Two and provide professional coaching, development opportunities and from under-16 level an education programme.