New Huddersfield Town signing Will Boyle promises 'a lot of difference' after Cheltenham stint

Will Boyle knows he won’t be handed any extra affection by Huddersfield Town fans for being an academy graduate, but is determined to show how much he has grown as a player since departing for Cheltenham Town in 2017.

The centre-back has helped the Robins earn promotion from League Two, been named in that division’s team of the year, and captained the side to their highest-ever position in the league pyramid as they finished a comfortable 15th in the third tier last season.

Now 26, Boyle has taken the opportunity to return to the Championship with the Terriers once his contract at Whaddon Road expires at the end of this month, telling the club's YouTube channel: “I’m delighted. It’s good to get it done and be back where it all started for me."

Asked what made him want to come back to Town despite offers from elsewhere, he said: “Looking at the environment as a whole…obviously it’s disappointing just to miss out on the Premier League, but what has been created here behind the scenes – the squad, but also the staff – it’s a place where people develop. That was clear from the outside looking in and obviously speaking to the club it was made even clearer to me. That was the major factor really.”

He added: “The focus on development that happens here, and not just players but staff as well. That’s something that I’m looking to continue doing and I don’t think you ever stop learning. Especially at my age, I think it’s key that I get into a fresh environment which is going to stretch me and I’m going to continue learning on the pitch, off the pitch.”

He added: “It almost feels like a bit of a full circle in five years to be back walking around it. It’s nice, home comforts almost, but it didn’t really play a massive factor in