David Kasumu seeks to follow Jonathan Hogg example after signing new Huddersfield Town contract

Huddersfield Town midfielder David Kasumu insists he wants to be at the club “long term” after penning his new deal.

The 25-year-old extended his stay with the Terriers until the summer of 2027 upon signing a new contract last week. The midfielder is in his third season with Town, having joined the club from MK Dons in the summer of 2022.

Fittingly, Kasumu went on to net the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the first game since signing his new deal, with the midfielder taking his tally to four strikes in 79 appearances in all competitions prior to Tuesday’s trip to Leyton Orient.

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The 25-year-old was part of a side that were relegated from the Championship last term, and the midfielder is determined to help the club move back in the right direction.

Speaking at a press conference last week following his new deal being announced, Kasumu said: “It feels good. It’s a place where obviously I’ve been for now two seasons, and it’s somewhere I want to be long term.

“I believe in the project here, and I believe that this club can go places, and I want to be a part of the journey, so I’m happy to be here and continue my journey here.

“I feel like it’s been a rollercoaster time since I’ve been here, with the relegation and things, but when I look back at it, I feel like I have progressed from when I first joined until now. Obviously there’s still loads more to come from me, at this level and hopefully at the level above, which is the aim for us to be at.”

Upon Kasumu signing his new deal, sporting director Mark Cartwright said there is an “expectation on him now to become a bigger leader within the dressing room”, and the midfielder is embracing the opportunity to be a more senior member of the squad.

Discussing his areas to improve, Kasumu said: “I feel like obviously just in terms of becoming more of a leader on and off the pitch, helping even now younger players than me, helping them through things.

“Obviously there’s a lot of senior players in the changing room that have helped me, so I can take what I’ve learned from them and help the younger ones, and obviously bringing more consistency on the pitch as well, so there’s loads of room for improvement.

“I feel like it’s somewhere I can improve, because obviously when I was at MK, I was one of the younger players, and then joining here, when I first joined I was one of the younger players again, so I’ve naturally just always been part of the younger players of the group.

“It’s something that is a first time to me, but I’m ready to become more of a leader on and off the pitch, and just help others, and obviously improve my game as well, and just learn from everyone.”

Kasumu says he can draw inspiration from captain Jonathan Hogg as he seeks to improve his leadership skills, with the 35-year-old having been at the club since 2013 and skippered Town since 2021.

“Since I’ve been here from the start, Hoggy has been one of the leaders of the team,” Kasumu said. “The majority of my time here, I’ve been playing alongside him, so just learning from him, someone’s who’s played at the top level, and has had a great career.

“It’s been really helpful learning from him, the standards he sets on and off the pitch, and just how he carries himself as well, so it’s something I’ve definitely seen and learned from, and I can help the younger ones below me as well.”