London club have real Craven for Town’s Ter
RECORD SIGNING KONGOLO ON VERGE OF FULHAM MOVE
TOWN defender Terence Kongolo looks on the verge of a loan move to Championship rivals Fulham.
Interest in the Dutch international from Craven Cottage has been well documented, although it’s been all quiet since last weekend when Town were defeated 2-1 at Barnsley while fourth-placed Fulham won 1-0 at Hull.
The 25-year-old has been unavailable for Town boss Danny Cowley since the last of his 11 appearances this season in the debacle at Bristol City in November.
Fulham were said to be interested in taking the former Monaco player and now reports in the capital suggests talks are under way towards an initial loan, with a view to a permanent transfer.
Kongolo is Town’s record signing at a reported £17.5m and the Terriers will be keen to recoup as much of that as possible for a player who is contracted with them until 2022.
Meanwhile, Cowley has revealed he felt new signing Andy King will fit perfectly into his squad.
The 31-year-old Premier League winner with Leicester will provide valuable competition for the midfield roles in Town’s 4-2-3-1 formation after joining on loan until the end of the season.
His move to Town follows previous loan moves to Swansea City and
Derby County and, earlier this season, to Scottish giants Rangers.
While a central midfielder was not top of Town’s wanted list at the start of the window, Cowley believes it’s too good an opportunity to pass up for a player so well respected throughout the league and who has scored 64 times in domestic senior football.
“There’s a real alignment with what we’re striving to do and Andy’s goals for the rest of the season,” said Cowley, who is likely to put him straight into the squad for tomorrow’s Championship home clash with Brentford.
“We’re fighting to maintain our position in the league and Andy is incredibly determined to do well as he’s out of contract soon and fighting to make the Wales squad for the upcoming European Championships.
“He’s a versatile, goal-scoring midfielder who can play in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, which is important to us too.
“Andy arrives here with great experience, and very importantly from a winning culture.
“Everyone you speak to in football about Andy has only the very best to say about him as a character.
“It was important that we brought some senior players here who can help drive the standards for our group.
“We have some talented younger footballers here who will benefit hugely from the substance that the senior players will bring.”
King has been with Leicester City his whole career, since joining the Academy in 2004, and he brings with him the knowhow gleaned from 399 appearances in senior club football.
Number 400 could come when Town tackle Brentford at the John Smith’s Stadium, when Jonathan Hogg completes a two-match ban for reaching 10 yellow cards.
King, who has 50 senior caps for Wales, and was handed his debut as a 20-year-old by John Toshack, hasn’t played since helping Steven Gerrard’s Rangers to a 1-0 Scottish League Cup win at Livingstone on Wednesday, September 25.