Shrimps secure deadline day loan move for Huddersfield midfielder

Morecambe Football Club has announced a deadline day signing of midfielder Josh Austerfield on a loan deal from Huddersfield Town  until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Harrogate Town following previous spells with Brighouse Town and Hyde United respectively.

Austerfield, who joined the Terriers’ academy at the age of eight, progressed through the age groups before signing professionally with Town in 2019 as a 17-year-old.

Last summer, after a six-month spell at The EnviroVent Stadium, the midfielder signed a long-term contract with the West Yorkshire side, keeping him there until June 2026.

He has 20 appearances to his name so far this season, across League Two, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, as well as three appearances in the Papa Johns Trophy, including against the Shrimps in October.

Speaking of the deadline day arrival, manager Derek Adams said: “We've taken in Josh, he's a central midfield player, he's had a lot of game time this season in League Two with Harrogate.

"He played against us in the Papa Johns Trophy game with Harrogate, he's very good on the ball technically, he can either play in the six or an eight and he gives us added competition in the central midfield position which we need going into the remaining 19 games of the season.

"He signed a contract with Huddersfield to 2026, so they've got high hopes for him, he is developing all the time and, as we've done with all the loan players we've taken in, we've taken them in to develop not only for ourselves, but for the parent club as well."

The move is subject to EFL and FA approval.