Huddersfield Town v Burnley - Terriers boss David Wagner happy after finally landing target Rajiv van La Parra
The 24-year-old has joined on loan until the end of the season with The Yorkshire Post understanding a £750,000 permanent transfer has also been agreed.
Van La Parra is seen by Wagner as having the ideal attributes to fit into the gegenpressing system that the German has brought to the John Smith’s Stadium since succeeding Chris Powell in November.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“He was one of my main targets in the January window and he was a target for this summer,” said the Terriers head coach, who will continue his policy of bedding in new signings with a few training sessions before considering van La Parra for a first team debut.
“It is good to be able to bring him here earlier, a very good opportunity for him and for us. He can settle in with no rush and no pressure, get a feeling for the club and our idea.
“Then he will not be a new player when we start pre-season.”
In the absence of van La Parra, Town will look to succeed where every other team currently in the bottom nine of the Championship has failed this season in taking points off Burnley.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSean Dyche’s men arrive at the John Smith’s having taken a maximum 48 points from 16 meetings with teams positioned 16th or below in the table, a quite remarkable record and one that has been a big factor in the Clarets setting the pace at the top.
Wagner, fresh from his side’s 3-1 win over Reading in midweek, said: “It will be a totally different game to the one against Reading. I am comfortable with Huddersfield Town being underdogs.
“The fans have a big role to play. They are patient and intelligent about football, and I know they can create a great atmosphere.
“We want to make Burnley feel uncomfortable. If we do that, we are in a good way. We want all three points.”
Burnley’s only other game against a side in the bottom nine as of today is at Charlton on May 7.