Sam Allen

Derensili Sanches Fernandes says Huddersfield Town’s trust and ambition convinced him to leave hometown club Excelsior Rotterdam for English football. The 25-year-old winger recorded 29 goal involvements across the last two seasons and helped Excelsior return to the Eredivisie. After a difficult spell at FC Utrecht, he credits Excelsior with giving him the support and confidence to establish himself professionally. Sporting director Chris Markham praised Fernandes’s pace, physicality, attacking ability and potential to improve as Huddersfield seek a return to prominence.

Radinio Balker extended his Huddersfield Town contract to 2028 after a strong season that restored him to a regular starting role. The centre-back, now settled in West Yorkshire, expressed his commitment to contributing further, while head coach Martin Drury and sporting director Chris Markham praised his resilience, improvement and suitability to the team’s style. The club sees his recovery from injury and recent performances as indicators of continued growth and future impact.

Huddersfield Town completed the signing of winger Derensili Sanches Fernandes from Excelsior Rotterdam on a four‑year deal, marking his first move abroad. After a strong season in the Eredivisie, Fernandes viewed the transfer as the right next step, encouraged by talks with club leadership and former teammate Ilias Bronkhorst. Head coach Martin Drury praised the player’s versatility and confidence, emphasising support for his transition as he joins the Championship side.

Huddersfield Town strengthened their coaching staff by appointing veteran coach Alan Knill as assistant head coach to Martin Drury ahead of the new EFL season. Sporting director Chris Markham and Drury highlighted Knill’s extensive experience, leadership qualities and ability to support player development as key factors in the hire. Knill joins a rebuilt staff including Jon Stead, Dale Tonge and Chris Elliott, completing the coaching structure for Drury’s first full campaign as head coach.