Last weekend Huddersfield Town made it through to the 4th round of the FA Cup by beating Burnley. However, it was outgoing loan player Kian Harratt who also brought a smile to Terriers fans’ faces when he scored his first professional goal on Saturday as Port Vale lost 4-1 to Premier League Brentford.
Harratt, who has mainly played in Town’s B team side made an instant impact at Vale. Having only joined on the Friday he was thrown straight into the action the following day, and the 19-year-old striker was clearly delighted with his first pro finish despite the defeat.
He said: “I can’t believe it, it’s brilliant! I can’t get over it, I’m speechless, it is my first professional goal, hopefully there is more to come.
“With the B Team in Huddersfield I don’t really play in front of fans like that. It’s a big task and you’ve got to get used to it but I think I’ve settled in well today.”
Born in Pontefract, Harratt played for Upton United as a junior before joining Barnsley and Leeds United’s academy. He then joined the Terriers in the 2017-18 season. His first full campaign came in the next year and he ended 2018-19 having played 47 times for the under 17s and under 19s scoring on 32 occasions.
His first team debut came in 2019 at home to Leeds United as then boss Danny Cowley liked the young striker’s progression.
Harratt has since had two loan spells out at Harrogate Town when they were in non-league and also at current non-league side Guiseley. It is hoped this loan spell at Port Vale will provide a springboard for the youngster to challenge for a matchday squad spot at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Harratt has played for the Town B team this season scoring 15 goals in 16 appearances.
For me it’s not a moment too soon that Kian has been given a chance to shine. As with Lewis O’Brien, who went on loan to Bradford, Town have done the right thing and sent Harratt out to get good experience at League Two level.
I believe that as Fraizer Campbell looks to have less and less playing minutes Harratt would be the perfect player to come in and supplement Town’s options on matchdays.
As we all know Town haven’t got the money to go out and buy a free-scoring striker and so in Harratt we may have that next hot prospect under our noses.
The good thing is Town have got Harratt signed up to a contract until 2025. The club also has another year option on top of that.
Speaking last month academy manager Emyr Humphreys said: “Kian had a tough time last season, but having regained his hunger in training and confidence in front of goal, he’s having one of his most impressive runs for our B Team.
“Should he continue working hard, applying himself and learning from our coaches, we have no doubt that he has the potential to be under consideration for our first team in time.”
On Harratt’s loan to Port Vale, head of football operations Leigh Bromby said: “We’re really excited about this loan for Kian.
“Port Vale put a lot of time and effort into making this loan happen, and it was clear from our conversations how much they wanted the player and the role they envisage for him. That makes a huge difference – the club has to be right if we are going to send any of our talented young players out, as you are entrusting them with his development.
“Kian has excelled at B Team level, and Sky Bet League 2 will be a fantastic challenge for him. We’ve had a lot of success through loans for our young players so far this season – Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Romoney Crichlow, Kieran Phillips, Matty Daly and Jacob Chapman to name just a few – and we hope Kian can follow in their footsteps.”
Hopefully Harratt will be banging the goals in for Town soon at the John Smith’s Stadium.
