Aston Villa Academy graduate Kaine Kesler-Hayden enjoyed good loan spells out with Swindon Town and MK Dons during the 2021/22 campaign, and he stepped up to the Championship level this season, agreeing a season long deal with Huddersfield Town – but on Sunday afternoon the club confirmed he had now returned to us.
🤝 We can confirm that we have exercised our option to end Kaine Kesler-Hayden's loan from Aston Villa.
🗣️ Comments from Leigh Bromby and Mark Fotheringham ⤵️
Thank you and the best of luck for the future, @KaineKeslerHayd! 👊#htafc
— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) January 15, 2023
Although he had more of a slow start to life with them, as the weeks ticked by he became a regular starter and he returns to us with ten starts to his name, five substitute showings, and he opened his goalscoring account for them on Boxing Day as they took victory over Preston North End.
It seems Huddersfield’s signing of former Villan Matt Lowton led to the decision to exercise the option to cancel the deal, and Huddersfield’s Head of Football Operations, Leigh Bromby, explained.
“With the arrival of Matt Lowton and Ollie Turton nearing a return to full fitness, the right side of defence is an area we’re going to have some real depth in, so this is a decision that has been made with the best intentions for both Kaine and the Club in mind. Kaine has shown real promise in his time with us, especially in the past month or so, and we wish him nothing but the best for the future. A pleasure to be around, he has been a credit to himself and his parent club during his time here and I’d like to thank him for his efforts since joining us. If he continues to apply himself, I’ve no doubt he can go on to have a brilliant career.”
Head coach Mark Fotheringham added.
“Kaine is a fantastic boy and has been great to have around the group. His performances in the past month have shown real progression, and that’s brilliant to see for a player of his age. I’ve really enjoyed working together and seeing a young player push to improve, but at this moment in time letting Kaine go back to Aston Villa and seek more regular minutes is the best thing for all concerned. I’d like to thank him for all of his effort and look forward to seeing how his career grows going forward.”
An assist & MOTM to finish off the year!🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/kRN1eLAcX9
— Kaine Kesler (@KaineKeslerHayd) December 29, 2022
Some good praise there for the 20-year-old, so I can only imagine we’ll try and get him back out to another club in the Championship now.
