Huddersfield Town bolster attacking options ahead of Middlesbrough challenge

Huddersfield Town have strengthened their attacking options ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough. The Terriers, knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Boro last week, have brought in Delano Burgzorg on a season-long loan from German side Mainz.

A former Netherlands Under-20 international, Burgzorg has had spells in his native Netherlands with Heracles Almelo and De Graafschap and a loan spell in Italy with Spezia. The 24-year-old, who can play anywhere across the front line, is Town’s third summer signing.

Town’s sporting director Mark Cartwright said: “We’re excited to bring Delano to Huddersfield Town. He’s a player we’ve watched carefully and who comes with strong recommendations from my contacts in Germany.

“His profile as a player is different to the other forwards that we have at the club. His first thought is to run in behind, which he does to good affect with his pace and direct style. He’s got real flair too and can bring an X factor to our play.

“I must thank Kevin Nagle and Jake Edwards for supporting us in getting the deal for Delano over the line. With their backing, we’re still hopeful that we can bring a couple of further reinforcements in before the window closes.”

Burgzorg is expected to go straight into Neil Warnock’s squad for their clash against Boro. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that the forward could be handed a start as Huddersfield go in search of their first points of the season.

Warnock said: “We’ve made no secret of the fact that we’ve wanted to add to our forward options in this window, so it’s good that we’ve agreed this deal with Delano. Our recruitment team have looked at the players that are available and he feels like the one who fits the bill, because he should add a different dimension to our play.

“When I talked with Delano, it was clear that he was very keen to come over to England and prove what he can do. He’s desperate to show that he can handle the Sky Bet Championship. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Town head to Teesside with no new injuries to contend with. Tom Lees (back/calf), David Kasumu (ankle) and Ollie Turton (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Wing back Jaheim Headley could be included in the travelling party, having served a one-match suspension for his red card in their cup loss to Boro. Ex-Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes is out-of-favour at the John Smith’s Stadium and is unlikely to be involved.

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Kirklees Council has spent a quarter-of-a-million-pounds on three 12-metre-high planters in Huddersfield town centre. The New Street-based “tree like-structures” will see climbing plants grow up them in a bid to regenerate the area as part of the £250m Huddersfield Blueprint project.

This 10-year masterplan hopes to transform the town centre to make it more vibrant and attractive to visitors. As part of the blueprint plans, the street will become a “garden street” with green areas with seating and artwork designed for socialising.

Granite flower beds have already been completed and will be filled with seasonal foliage from next month. The council commissioned artist Tim Ward to design, fabricate and install the structures. Each has its own theme – contours, waterways and commerce – which relate to the history and heritage of Huddersfield and the surrounding area.

Public opinion on the planters has been divided. Speaking to Yorkshire Live, some people thought the planters looked pleasant, but others believed them to be unnecessary. Since the planters have been installed, the council’s cabinet has put an end to non-essential spending for the local authority due to its financial position. The local authority needs to save £47m this financial year to balance its budget and measures have been put in place to help the local authority avoid issuing a section 114, or effective bankruptcy.

However, the council has defended its blueprint projects as essential for the future economy of the borough. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Investment in regeneration projects such as the Huddersfield Blueprint, which the New Street development forms part of, are important to the long-term economic growth of the district.

“The vertical planters, unique pieces of public art, approximately £250,000 as part of the wider public realm improvements on New Street. They are not only striking pieces of art, but also provide a frame for more green planting without taking up floor space. This will mean we have more room for specialist markets and other events to bring more people into town. And more people in town means more people visiting our shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.”

Aside from the plans for New Street, the majority of the Huddersfield Blueprint is focused around the £210m Cultural Heart. This covers the area at the Piazza and will see a new art gallery, museum, library, food hall, public square and urban park. However, this is being delivered a bit at a time using a phased approach. Further “economic constraints” have seen the plans condensed with the art gallery and museum that were originally projected to occupy separate buildings, forecast to share the former library building at Princess Alexandra Walk.

According to the Our Cultural Heart website, the construction of the food hall, library and public square is anticipated to begin next Spring, with these facilities to be open to the public by the Winter of 2025. The urban park, museum and gallery, mixed-use Queen Street development, entertainment venue and car park will be constructed in the years to follow, with the entire project completed by 2030.