HUDDERSFIELD, United Kingdom — Canadian goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler has joined Huddersfield Town on a contract that runs through the end of the season.
The 31-year-old previously played in England for Middlesbrough, Shrewsbury Town, Blackburn Rovers and, most recently, Fleetwood Town FC.
He joined League One’s Fleetwood Town in September on a short-term contract that expired in January. Leutwiler conceded just 14 goals in 18 appearances there, with seven clean sheets.
The six-foot-four ‘keeper had been training at Huddersfield, which stands 14th in the second-tier Championship at 9-13-5.
“Jayson arrived here with glowing references from everyone I spoke to and, having had him in the building for a week, I can see why.” goalkeeping coach Paul Clements told the Huddersfield club website. “He’s a very able goalkeeper and he’s been fantastic around the training ground. It’s no surprise that he has hit the ground running, as he has played regularly in League 1 ahead of his arrival.”
Huddersfield was looking for depth in goal after Ben Hamer left for Swansea City in January. Ryan Schofield, 21, has served as the starting goalkeeper in recent weeks with Joel Periera, on loan from Manchester United, in reserve.
Leutwiler was born in Switzerland to Swiss parents and started in the youth systems of Cornaux and Neuchatel Xamax before joining FC Basel where he turned professional. He moved to England in 2012.
He represented Switzerland at the under-21 level before switching to Canada, qualifying through his grandfather. He made his senior debut in South Korea in November 2016 and his last appearance in September 2017 against Jamaica in Toronto.
Monday was transfer deadline day in England.