David Kasumu hopes to contribute to Huddersfield Town’s return to its former glory.
David Kasumu, a midfielder for Huddersfield Town, has signed a new contract and stated that he intends to stay with the team “long term.”
The 25-year-old signed a new contract last week that would keep him at the Terriers until the summer of 2027. After joining Town from MK Dons in the summer of 2022, the midfield player is currently in his third season with the team.
In the first game since signing his new contract, Kasumu appropriately scored the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic. Before Tuesday’s trip to Leyton Orient, the midfielder has four goals in 79 appearances across all competitions.
The 25-year-old midfielder is committed to helping the team get back on track after playing for a team that was demoted from the Championship the previous season.
“It feels good,” Kasumu stated during a news conference last week after his new contract was revealed. I’ve been there for two seasons now, so it’s a location I want to stay for a long time.
“I’m happy to be here and continue my journey here because I believe in the project and that this club can go places. I want to be a part of the journey.”
With the relegation and other things, I feel that my time here has been somewhat turbulent, but when I reflect on it, I see that I have improved since I first joined. Naturally, I still have a lot more to offer at this level and, ideally, at the level above, which is where we want to be.
Sporting director Mark Cartwright stated that there is “expectation on him now to become a bigger leader within the dressing room” after Kasumu signed his new contract, and the midfield player is seizing the chance to be a more senior part of the team.
“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,” Kasumu stated when asked about his areas for improvement.
“There is definitely a lot of space for progress because there are many veteran players in the changing room who have taught me. I can use what I’ve learned from them to educate the younger players and, of course, provide more consistency on the field as well.
Because I was definitely one of the younger guys at MK and again when I initially got here, I feel like I can get better here. As a result, I’ve always been among the group’s younger players.
“It’s something I’ve never done before, but I’m prepared to take on more leadership roles both on and off the field, assist others, obviously raise my game, and simply absorb knowledge from everyone.”
As he looks to hone his leadership abilities, Kasumu says he may take a cue from captain Jonathan Hogg, who has been with the team since 2013 and has led Town since 2021.
“Hoggy has been one of the team leaders since I’ve been here from the beginning,” Kasumu stated. I’ve spent most of my time here playing with him, so I’ve been able to learn from someone who has played at the highest level and had a successful career.
“I have definitely observed and learned from him, and I can help the younger ones below me as well. It has been really helpful to learn from him, the standards he sets on and off the pitch, and just how he carries himself as well.”
