2M3X6MJ The Huddersfield Town badge on the corner flag ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match Huddersfield Town vs Watford at John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, United Kingdom, 17th December 2022 (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images)
Jordan Smith joined Huddersfield Town on loan from Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window but the goalkeeper failed to make a single appearance for the Terriers
Former Huddersfield Town loanee Jordan Smith has emerged as a transfer target for Stockport County. The goalkeeper is searching for a new club this summer, having been released by Stockport County.
Smith kicked off the 2022/23 campaign as Forest’s third choice shot-stopper before joining the Terriers on loan in the winter transfer window. The 28-year-old was brought in to provide back up to Tomas Vaclik and competition to youngsters Nicholas Bilokapic and Jacob Chapman, with Lee Nicholls sidelined for a lengthy period with a shoulder injury.
Speaking at the time, Town head of goalkeeping Paul Clements said: “Jordan comes in to supplement our existing group and create additional competition within our goalkeeping department. Having seen Ryan Schofield and Gio Bellagambi leave on loan, this gives us a second senior goalkeeper at the club to push Tomas, Nick and Jacob and fight for places.
“We mustn’t forget that both Nicholas and Jacob still require experience and as many minutes playing as possible, so Jordan’s addition allows us more flexibility should the opportunity arise to provide either of the younger boys time out on emergency loan or to the National League.”
But Smith failed to make a single appearance for Town. He was included in the matchday just once; he was an unused substitute in Town’s come-from-behind victory over Birmingham City in Neil Warnock’s first match in charge.
Smith’s last competitive match came for Forest over two years ago when they lost 2-0 at home to Norwich City. He was the Premier League club’s first choice goalkeeper from February 2017 to January 2018, playing 47 times in that run.
Sun journalist Alan Nixon claims Stockport are interested in signing Smith as they look to bounce back after agonisingly missing out on promotion to League One. County lost on penalties in the play-off final to Carlisle United at Wembley last month. Town are scheduled to play Stockport in a pre-season friendly on July 22 as part of their preparations for the 2023/24 campaign.
Smith will officially depart Forest when his contract expires at the end of the month. He is among six senior players leaving the club, including Jesse Lingard, Jack Colback, Cafu, Andre Ayew and Lyle Talyor.
