Lee Grant set to make ‘top’ midfielder his first signing as Huddersfield Town boss after departing Ipswich Town

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Newly-appointed Huddersfield Town boss is poised to bring a 191-time Championship star to the League One outfit.

Since retiring as a player in 2022, Lee Grant has been working under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town, before being appointed by Huddersfield Town.

EFL Analysis exclusively revealed earlier this week that former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Grant was set to take on the Huddersfield Town role, in his first role as a manager after Grant was wanted by Newport County.

Grant arrives at The John Smith’s Stadium in the wake of Damien Duff’s departure, after he was sacked in March following a barren run of form, which left the Terriers adrift of the third tier play-off pack.

As Huddersfield hunt for Championship promotion under Grant, the newly-appointed head coach is poised to make his first summer signing.

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Ryan Ledson agrees terms with Huddersfield Town after Preston release

In Grant’s first season in charge, the Terriers have a substantial chance of promotion success, with high-flyers Birmingham City and Wrexham now in the Championship.

The door is now open for Huddersfield to capitalise and return to the second tier after they were relegated in 23rd place at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

With the summer transfer window shifting up through the gears, the Terriers have reportedly “agreed terms” with former Preston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson, who departed Deepdale last month upon the expiry of his contract after seven years at the club.

Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath posted on X: “Ryan Ledson has agreed terms with Huddersfield Town to be part of new manager Lee Grant’s push for promotion to the Championship next season.

“Follows his departure from Preston at end of the season after seven years at club”.

Versatile midfielder Ledson made 215 appearances in all competitions for Preston after the Everton academy product arrived from Oxford United in 2018.

Via the Lancashire Post, of Ledson’s character, Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom said: “Everyone knows what I think of Ledo (Ryan Ledson).

“When Ben (Whiteman) was out, he was the captain straight away. I just think his personality is top, yeah, top.”

Ledson’s impending arrival is a statement of intent from the Huddersfield hierarchy ahead of their Championship promotion push, and solves a problem area in the squad Grant has inherited.

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Ryan Ledson is perfect signing for Huddersfield Town to replace Jonathan Hogg

In the Terriers’ midfield last season, Huddersfield veteran Jonathan Hogg featured 34 times, performing his defensive duties well despite being 36-years-old.

However, Hogg has since left the club after not being offered a new contract, following his 12 years and 381 league games worth of service to the Terriers.

Of Hogg’s emotional departure, Huddersfield chairman Kevin Nagale told the club’s media: “A captain, legend and enduring figure for all associated with the club, it is only correct that we give Jonathan the send-off a player and a person of his calibre has earned after leading the team with such distinction.”

Ledson’s qualities in the centre of the field will have been viewed as the suitable successor to club legend Hogg, and is poised to be an integral member of Grant’s promotion-chasing squad for next season.