Kyle Hudlin

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Kyle Farren Hudlin, born on June 15, 2000, is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Newport County on loan from Huddersfield Town. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m), Hudlin is recognized as one of the tallest footballers in the world. His career began in the lower tiers of English football before he signed for National League side Solihull Moors in October 2020. During his time at Solihull, Hudlin scored 17 goals in 69 appearances across all competitions, catching the attention of higher-division clubs. In July 2022, he signed for Huddersfield Town, initially joining their B team. Hudlin has since had loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion, and currently Newport County, gaining valuable experience in the English Football League. His unique physical attributes and goal-scoring ability have made him an intriguing prospect in English football, with potential for further development at higher levels.

Early life & youth football

Professional career

Kyle Hudlin's time with Solihull Moors marked his breakthrough into professional football. He signed for the National League side in October 2020, making an immediate impact with his unique physical presence and goal-scoring ability. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall, Hudlin quickly became a fan favorite and a challenging opponent for defenders.During the 2020-21 season, Hudlin made 39 appearances across all competitions for Solihull Moors, scoring an impressive 12 goals. His performances in the National League were particularly noteworthy, with 9 goals in 35 league appearances. This tally included important goals that helped Solihull Moors secure their place in the division.In the 2021-22 season, Hudlin continued to be a key player for Solihull Moors. He made 30 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals. His contributions were crucial as Solihull Moors reached the National League play-offs, with Hudlin scoring in the play-off semi-final.Overall, during his time at Solihull Moors, Hudlin made 69 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals. His performances at this level caught the attention of higher-division clubs, setting the stage for his move to Huddersfield Town in July 2022.In July 2022, Kyle Hudlin signed for Huddersfield Town on a two-year contract, initially joining their B team. This move represented a significant step up for Hudlin, transitioning from non-league football to a Championship club.Shortly after signing for Huddersfield, Hudlin was loaned out to AFC Wimbledon for the 2022-23 season to gain more first-team experience. At Wimbledon, he made 18 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals. His first goal for the club came in an EFL Trophy tie against Crawley Town on September 20, 2022. However, Hudlin was recalled by Huddersfield on January 4, 2023, cutting his loan spell short.Upon returning to Huddersfield, Hudlin had to wait for his opportunity in the first team. His breakthrough came in the 2023-24 season when he made his debut for Huddersfield in an EFL Cup match against Middlesbrough on August 8, 2023. Hudlin marked this debut with a goal, although Huddersfield lost the match 3-2.Following his debut, Hudlin made 9 appearances in the Championship for Huddersfield in the first half of the 2023-24 season. While he didn't score in these league appearances, his performances showed promise and adaptation to the higher level of football.On January 31, 2024, Hudlin was loaned out again, this time to League One club Burton Albion for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. At Burton, he made 5 league appearances, gaining valuable experience in League One.The 2024-25 season saw another loan move for Hudlin. On August 30, 2024, he joined League Two club Newport County on a season-long loan.

National team

Player’s style

Kyle Hudlin's style of play is heavily influenced by his exceptional height of 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m), making him a unique presence on the football pitch. As a striker, Hudlin's primary strength lies in his aerial ability, posing a significant threat from crosses and set-pieces. His height advantage allows him to win headers against most defenders, making him an effective target man. Despite his tall frame, Hudlin has shown a reasonable level of mobility and technical ability, allowing him to contribute to build-up play and hold up the ball for his teammates. His goal-scoring record, particularly at Solihull Moors, demonstrates his ability to find the back of the net consistently. Hudlin's physical presence also makes him a valuable asset in defensive situations, particularly when defending set-pieces. As he continues to develop and gain experience in the professional ranks, Hudlin's unique combination of height and footballing ability makes him an intriguing prospect for managers looking for a different dimension in their attacking options.