DION Charles said he “loved every minute” of his time with Wanderers but admits his lack of game time this season has accelerated his departure from the Toughsheet Stadium.

The Northern Ireland international signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Huddersfield Town today in a move reportedly worth £750,000.

Charles had started just one of the last six games after falling behind Aaron Collins and John McAtee in the pecking order under Ian Evatt, and this season he has been involved in just over 62 per cent of the total game time in League One.

After scoring 57 goals in 149 appearances in his three years with Bolton, including two play-off campaigns and a Papa Johns Trophy win in 2023, Charles starts a new chapter in his career with Michael Duff’s promotion chasing Terriers, who are currently six places and 10 points ahead of the Whites in the table.

Speaking to HTAFC’s official YouTube channel, the 29-year-old outlined why he felt it was time to leave the North West.

“I have got a point to prove,” he said. “This season I have probably not played as much as I wanted and that’s a deciding factor in why I chose to come here.

“It’s a massive club here. I felt like it was time to move on from Bolton.

“I loved every minute of Bolton. I have had probably the best moments of my career there – scoring at Wembley, winning at Wembley, things like that.

“But I am here now and looking forward to working hard and getting this club back to where it needs to be.”

Charles had scored eight goals this season for Bolton and was their leading scorer in the league. He had also topped the club’s charts for the previous two seasons, scoring 20-plus goals at League One level in two consecutive campaigns.

But he believes a move to Huddersfield and more regular starts could see him back to top form.

He said: “The style of football suits me down to the ground and will get the best out of me and where I am in my career. Look, they have created so many chances and I am a player who relies on service and hopefully it all goes well.

“Speaking to the gaffer it is really clear why he is bringing me to this great football club, and it’s to score goals. I’d back myself to do that, given the opportunities.

“Look, I’m looking forward to it. I’m a player who likes to work hard and leave nothing out on the pitch, so I can’t wait to get going.”

Huddersfield have not been beaten in the league since October 1, although they were knocked out of the Vertu Trophy by Bolton last month.

After relegation last season Charles believes Championship football is within his new club’s reach this time around.

He added: “We’re all here for the same common goal, we want to get promoted. We want to get back into the Championship and maybe the Premier League where this club was. But we all have to buy into it together, help each other, and pull in the same direction.

“I’ve played against the club twice this year and they have both been difficult games.

“From the outside looking in, nobody wants to play Huddersfield at the minute. They are on a tremendous run and knowing the gaffer and his teams are always set up well and difficult to play against, so it’s brilliant to come here.”