Sheffield Wednesday: Jack Hunt had no hesitation over longer stay

After going from social outcast to wanted man, Jack Hunt is loving life at Sheffield Wednesday.
Jack HuntJack Hunt
Jack Hunt

The fleet-footed full back this week converted his loan deal from Crystal Palace into a permanent move to Hillsborough, signing a three-and-a-half year contract.

And Hunt said he had no hesitation in pledging his long-term future to Wednesday when the opportunity arose.

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"As soon as I knew they were interested, I made my intentions very clear that I wanted to stay and it was something I was very keen on," the 25-year-old told The Star.

"It was at the start of December when I was injured, after the Derby game, and the club expressed a desire to sign me permanently."

Hunt has made 22 appearances so far for Wednesday since arriving in the summer on loan from Palace.

The Leeds-born defender said he knew he would have to leave Selhurst Park in his quest for regular football.

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He said: "I felt like I didn't really settle in at Palace and was a little bit of an outcast.

"I have never been someone to sit at a club and collect my money.

"I've always wanted to go and play first team football. I'm used to playing games.

"I just wanted to get out. It has not been easy. I feel like I have done well wherever I have gone. It is nice for me and my family to get my future sorted out."

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Though he has left a top flight club, Hunt expects to be back in the Premier League in the near future with Wednesday, possibly next season.

He said: "Wednesday are an ambitious club.

"I know I've left a Premier League club where I never got a chance to play but this is a club showing a real desire to get back in the Premier League and you can see that with the squad which has been built.

"I've dropped down a league but I believe Wednesday have got a real chance of going up this season.

"If not this year, then definitely in the seasons coming."

Hunt is likely to feature against his hometown team today when Leeds United visit Hillsborough.

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And he is looking forward to playing against former boss Steve Evans, who signed him on loan while in charge of Rotherham United.

He said: "I am a Leeds lad and just moved into my new house there.

"It has come at a strange time to be playing against them.

"I'm playing against a manager who I played under last year.

"There have been a lot of things going on this week."