Huddersfield Town: 2016 David Wagner transfer swoop was underrated at the time - View | OneFootball

The brilliance of Elias Kachunga for Huddersfield Town is something worth remembering.

Huddersfield's promotion to the Premier League in 2016/17 was surprising and no one can doubt that. For the first time since 1971/72, The Terriers were back in the first division.

After the 2016/17 campaign, Huddersfield players would go on to bigger and better things. Like with Philip Billing of Bournemouth and Aaron Mooy moving to Brighton.

Another key part of that squad was Elias Kachunga, who was signed by David Wagner on loan from FC Ingolstadt, a side in the Bundesliga at the time, to limited fanfare. No-one quite knew who the 25-year-old was or what his play was like, which made his debut even more surprising and exciting. By the time he left West Yorkshire, he was almost a criminally underrated cog in that promotion-winning squad that defeated Reading FC in the 2017 Championship play-off final.

The now-EFL veteran made cultural waves at the club, making a lasting impact with key moments that saw Huddersfield ascend to the top division. It was his first time playing football outside of Germany, in what Kachunga described at the time: "A big step in my life, coming to a new country, new club and league but I hope I can help the team to have a good season."

Instant impact under David Wagner

In his first game for The Terriers in the Championship on 5th August 2016, the DR Congo international opened his account in a 2-1 win over Brentford.

A month later, in September 2016, Elias Kachunga would be the hero again in a 2-1 victory at home against QPR. This would be a preamble to the forward's finest moment at Huddersfield, his goal against Derby County.

The picture before The Terriers' clash against The Rams was that Wagner's side had lost two on the bounce, distancing themselves from Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion in the automatic promotion places.

Derby, on the other hand, were four games unbeaten under returning manager Steve Mclaren. The game was a fierce contest that looked like it would finish all-square between the two sides. But, just as that result looked like the definite outcome, Kachunga netted a 90+3 minute headed winner that sent The John Smith's Stadium into chaos. Wagner's excitement couldn't be contained either, with the German head coach wheeling away down the touchline in celebration.

His sparkling performances culminated in an impressive tally during their promotion-winning season, as he would go on to score 12 goals in 42 appearances.

Terriers fans fell in love with Kachunga and so did the manager, who made the deal for the number nine permanent in March 2017. The £1.1 million reported fee to bring the striker in permanently was hailed by Wagner, who claimed the loanee was "a very popular man" in his Huddersfield side.

His Premier League form wouldn't match what Huddersfield fans would come to expect from the DR Congo striker, only recording a single top-flight goal in 39 appearances.

Huddersfield saw the best of Kachunga

Sheffield Wednesday announced the signing of Kachunga on a free transfer after his Huddersfield exit. The move didn't go as planned, however, as Kachunga netted just once in 29 appearances for The Owls.

He moved on in August 2021, penning a two-year deal with Bolton Wanderers. This would be the longest stint at any one club since his time at Huddersfield, appearing 91 times for The Trotters and grabbing nine goals.

He was offered a contract extension by Cambridge United on May 1st, with the club keen to carry the forward into next season after a semi-decent campaign. Ultimately, though, he's not quite hitting those same heights he did as a Terrier on that initial loan.

Clearly, Wagner got the best out of a promising young Kachunga, at a time when Huddersfield were riding the crest of a wave.

Nobody in England has seen more from the forward and, although Huddersfield fans have many heroes from the period he arrived at the club, you cannot understate what impact Kachunga had on an amazing time for the club.