Harrogate Town handed Tom Lees warning as Huddersfield Town transfer deal looms | OneFootball

FLW's Huddersfield Town fan pundit has been discussing Harrogate Town's reported interest in Terriers defender, Tom Lees.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Harrogate Town are reportedly preparing an ambitious bid to sign Huddersfield Town defender, Tom Lees.

Journalist Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon that the Sulphurites are making an approach for the 34-year-old centre-back.

The Terriers have already confirmed via their 2024/25 retained list that Lees will leave the club this summer as a free agent, and as such, the League Two side have a free run at his signature.

Nixon claims that in order to secure a deal for the veteran defender, Harrogate have comprised a club-record package to present to the former England youth international.

Claim made on Harrogate Town's reported interest in Huddersfield star Tom Lees

We asked our Huddersfield Town fan pundit, Graeme Rayner: 'Tom Lees is being linked with Harrogate Town. Does that surprise you, or do you think it's time he stepped down to that level?'

Rayner said: "Tom Lees is a very, very, very good defender.

"He's been a good servant for us in the time that he's been with us. Really good player, but his body is starting to show signs of wear and tear.

"He's 34 now, he missed a decent chunk of last season with injuries etc. So, I think potentially someone like Harrogate could be a really good move for him, albeit it's the lowest level that he'd have permanently played at.

"On his way up he spent time in League Two. But, I would say that it should be something that he considers because it could be a really good move for him, and Harrogate are a decent club at that level.

"If he does go there, I wish him all the best. He's certainly never let us down. But, I would say that he managed the fewest amount of games for us this season in a long time, and he's only had two seasons in his entire career where he's played fewer games.

"So, his body is showing signs of it now, so maybe it is time for him to drop down a level and be used as and when they need him."

Tom Lees could become key player for Harrogate Town to see out final years of his career

Lees is as experienced an EFL defender as they come.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United man has racked up just shy of 500 Championship appearances during his long career, whilst also making over 80 appearances at League Two level, and a further 29 in League One - per Transfermarkt.

He played a key role in helping the Terriers reach the Championship play-off final in 2021/22, which they ultimately lost to Nottingham Forest, and has done an excellent job of largely staying fit and available throughout his career.

Indeed, Lees has never failed to make less than 30 total appearances in a single season during his career, which began all the way back in the 2009/10 campaign with Accrington Stanley.

As such, it's clear to see why a club such as Harrogate would be hugely interested in completing a deal for the Terriers defender.

His pedigree, experience, quality and leadership could prove invaluable for the Sulphurites, as they look to finally crack the top-half of League Two next season having only recorded bottom-half finishes in the division since their promotion from the National League in 2020.