“The best is yet to come from Danny”: Getting to Know New Signing Danny Grant
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Ireland U21 international Danny Grant joins The Terriers, but what impact can he make on the first team?
An exciting prospect joins Town and not for the first time in recent years. Much is made of the poor recruitment in the second season that saw The Terriers relegated from the Premier League with a whimper, but in the subject of balance, Huddersfield have recruited some young players who have gone on to make an impact for the side.
Josh Koroma, signed in the summer of 2019 after that relegation, is the team’s current top scorer this season and the most obvious example is of course, Karlan Grant. Signed for £2m from Charlton and 23 goals in 56 appearances later, was sold to West Brom for a healthy profit this summer. Now a fellow namesake in Danny Grant has joined The Terriers, subject to international clearance, and will be available for the rest of the season.
A relative unknown to most Huddersfield fans, the 20-year-old Irishman signed a contract with Town until the summer of 2023, with The Terriers having the option to extend it for a further year. Like previous young signings, on the surface, it looks like a shrewd move.
Danny Grant joins from Bohemians FC, who finished second in the League of Ireland Premier League and secured Europa League football as a result. Grant was a big contribution to the successful season, with seven goals in 17 games, with the campaign shortened due to COVID-19.
The winger, who can play up front or on either wing, was awarded the PFAI Young Player of the Year Award due to his impressive performances and has already earned three caps for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side.
To learn more about Town’s latest signing, we look at what the club said about the move, the player’s reaction and we spoke to Killian from Bohemians fan channel, Unofficial Bohs, to find out about what we can expect from Danny Grant in the coming months.
Danny Grant’s contract with the Dublin club ends on 31 December 2020, but Huddersfield will pay an undisclosed fee to Bohemian in lieu of training compensation. Photo source: HTAFC
What the club said
Announcing the signing after the 2-0 victory over Watford, Leigh Bromby, Head of Football Operations seemed pleased with securing the services of the coveted young player. On the club’s official website, he said:
“Danny has a lot of attributes that really suit our style of play. He’s a right footed player who can play across the front three but is particularly adept at cutting in from the left side. Just as importantly, you can see his enthusiasm in games, both when attacking and in doing his defensive work.
“The step up to the Sky Bet Championship will be significant for Danny, and he will begin that development in training with the B Team alongside the First Team squad. His task is to emulate the likes of Josh Koroma, who has really developed with us on the training pitches before coming into our team and making a big impact on our team and the division.”
With the injury to Josh Koroma and a lack of options in the wide areas, particularly on the left side, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Danny make a few appearances this season when Corberán deems him ready to make the step up.
In an interview with the club, Danny said: “It’s a big thing moving over here from Ireland and I’m absolutely delighted to be at Huddersfield.” Photo source: HTAFC
What the player said
In an interview with the club after joining, Danny Grant was asked about his versatility and his preferred position. Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel, he said:
“I like to play on the left. Through the Under 17s and 18s, I played as a centre forward and then went out wide when I went into the senior setup at Bohs. I like to play on the left, I think I’m comfortable on the left because I can cut inside and go down the outside… I think I’m best at dribbling, cutting inside as I said I can go on the outside and I like to be in 1v1 situations as most wingers do and hopefully I can bring goals as well as I did last year.
“I’ve watched a couple of games recently because I had a feeling that I was going to be coming here and the style of play was obviously a big thing. I’ve only been here a couple of days and it’s massive already, it’s instilled into the players that style of football so I’m really looking forward to get going and learn this style of football as well.I think the coaching staff is of a really really high calibre, so to get better you obviously need to work with the best people. The coaches here are really really good so I’m looking forward to it.”
Judging from the reaction on social media, Danny and his family seemed pleased with the move and it’s another step up for the player but whether he joins the first team squad this season or makes his breakthrough next season, we’ll have to wait and see.
Danny was awarded the PFAI Young Player of the Year Award due to his impressive performances and has already earned three caps for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side. Photo source: Instagram
What fans have said
With any signing, it’s easy to get excited and caught up in the moment but as mentioned for most Huddersfield fans, they won’t know much about the irish league or the player himself. So, we caught up with Bohemians fan, Killian, who runs Bohemians fan channel, Unofficial Bohs, to get the fan perspective on Danny Grant and what we can expect.
What type of player are Huddersfield getting in Danny Grant?
He’s a pacy winger, who is very good with the ball at his feet. Dribbling with the ball is probably his best attribute and he can chip in with goals too.
How would you describe his playing style?
Danny can play on either the left or right wing and constantly looks to get forward, beat defenders and get balls into the box.
What have been his highlights at Bohemians?
He scored seven times in an 18 game season this year, including a hattrick and was part of a fast counter-attacking team in 2020 that saw Bohemians finished second in the league. It’s normally a 36 game season, but it was shortened because of COVID, but it just shows he’s a good player.
How would you sum up his time at Bohemians?
He was part of the Under-19s squad that won the double in 2018 and was part of the first team that year too. 2019 was his breakout season where he became a regular in the side and was a huge part in helping Bohs qualify for the Europa League this season and last season.
From the fan reaction to his departure, it looks like he was well thought of. Can you tell us more about his relationship with the fans?
Danny always worked hard on the pitch and that’s all the fans request from the players. Bohs fans loved watching him as he always wanted to get forward and score/create chances.
Danny Grant scored a hattrick this season with Bohemians and got a respectable seven goals in 18 appearances with the Irish side. Photo source: Instagram
Do you think he can make an immediate impact with Huddersfield?
I’m not sure if he is going straight into the first-team squad or the Under-23s. If he is in the first team squad, I think he will need to improve physically. When he came into the Bohs team in 2018, he was pushed off the ball quite a bit and wasn’t able to hold his own but he got stronger and better on the ball in the past few years. I think for him to do well in England he will need to get stronger and be a bit more physical but he definitely has the potential.
Based on what you’ve seen of him at Bohemians, how much potential does he have for the rest of his career?
The sky’s the limit, he’s been part of the Ireland Under 21 squad recently. I think the best is yet to come from Danny. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.
Is there anything we should know about Danny Grant that we don’t already?
His mother is the best baker of cupcakes at the club. She has a reputation for making the team cupcakes after away trips and bakes cakes whenever anything good happens with Danny and Bohs!
Anything else you want to add?
Take good care of him!
The right-footed Grant can play in any of the positions in a front three but prefers playing on the left. Photo source: Instagram
Summary
Like with any new signing, it’s going to take time for Grant to become accustomed to a new style of playing, especially for a 20-year-old moving to a new country and an arguably tougher league but the signs look good.
With Huddersfield having some recent success in signing wide forwards who go on to impress for the first team, Town could have acquired another young hidden gem who plays on the left.
Whether he is one for the future or plays a useful role in the second half of this season, it seems that on paper we have a great addition to Huddersfield Town.
How do you think Danny Grant will do at Town? Let us know in the comments.
