AFC Wimbledon defender gives Kyle Hudlin verdict after loan move from Huddersfield Town

AFC Wimbledon defender Alex Pearce has spoken of his excitement about playing with striker Kyle Hudlin who has joined the Wombles on loan from Huddersfield Town.

The six-foot-nine striker joined Huddersfield this summer from National League side Solihull Moors but was loaned straight out to Wimbledon to gain Football League experience. Wimbledon will compete in League Two next season after being relegated from the third tier last term.

The 22-year-old striker agreed to a two-year contract with the Terriers that runs until the summer of 2024, with the club having the option of a further year’s extension. Hudlin joined Town with a prolific goalscoring record in non-league and netted 15 times in 62 appearances for Solihull.

Pearce joined Wimbledon after leaving Championship club Millwall this summer and has also turned out for Derby County, Reading and Norwich City, among others. The 33-year-old has also been capped nine times by the Republic of Ireland and sees Hudlin as a great addition to the team this season.

“It’s fantastic news,” said Pearce, speaking to Wimbledon's club media. “He’ll be a threat for us, and we’ll welcome him into the group. Hopefully there’s more to come. It's positive times.”

The Terriers signed Wimbledon forward Jack Rudoni on the same day they sent Hudlin the other way and have inserted a break clause into the loan, which can be activated in January 2023. Head of Academy Recruitment at Town Lee Mellor and Academy manager Emyr Humphreys were also full of praise for Hudlin when his arrival at the Terriers was announced while also acknowledging that he has plenty of room to grow.

“He’s had a fantastic rise to this position already,” said Mellor. “We still feel there is a lot more to come from him. It