HUDDERSFIELD Town have moved swiftly to seal the signing of Cardiff City goalkeeper Jak Alnwick – following on from the loan return of Owen Goodman to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

Alnwick, a former England youth international, has penned an 18-month deal at Town.

He had also been linked with clubs north of the border, including Dundee United.

Northumberland-born Alnwick, who started out at Newcastle United, has represented a host of clubs through his career, including Rangers, Blackpool, Port Vale and St Mirren.

New Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. Picture courtesy of HTAFC.

placeholder image — New Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. Picture courtesy of HTAFC.

Alnwick, who spent a short spell on loan earlier in his career in Yorkshire at Bradford City, will serve as number two at Town to Lee Nicholls.

Town chief Lee Grant said: "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.

Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

"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.”

On joining the club, Alnwick, whose older brother Ben is also a former professional goalkeeper, added: "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 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.”