Notts County have made their second signing of the summer as Tom Iorpenda joins The Magpies on a season-long loan from Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers finished 10th last season in League One and the 20-year-old made just 12 appearances for the North Yorkshire side, after experiencing setbacks with injury, particularly in 2025.
Before his back injury which stunted more chances of garnering minutes in the third flight, Michael Duff trusted the youngster only for short spells off the bench in League One while a few longer stints would come his way in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Huddersfield concluded their campaign with an exodus of senior figures at the club as Duff and his coaching staff were dismissed in March alongside sporting director Mark Cartwright one month later.
Former seasoned goalkeeper Lee Grant has since been appointed into his first managerial role with Huddersfield Town, who are seeking to return to the Championship where they had been for five successive seasons.
Iorpenda’s arrival seems to be a straight swap following George Abbott’s return to Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur.
The Lilywhites are more than likely to send Abbott out for another loan, but perhaps this time to a League One outfit after an impressive season with Stuart Maynard for Notts County.
He made 44 appearances for County, registering 6 goals and 7 assists as The Magpies missed out on promotion after losses to AFC Wimbledon in the play-offs across both legs.
His stunning volley against Accrington Stanley was rewarded by the EFL, who judged Abbott’s goal as the best goal of the season.
The ball floated over to the Tottenham Hotspur loanee who waited for the ball to descend before he thunderously rifled his strike into the top corner, sending the away supporters into raptures, many of whom had developed a soft spot for Abbott over the course of his time at Meadow Lane.
New addition Iorpenda is no stranger to long-range efforts either. Despite his lack of goalscoring prowess, during an academy game for The Terriers in 2023, Iorpenda let fly from his own half to catch the Brentford B goalkeeper off guard and score one of the most spectacular goals he will ever score in his career.
Abbott attained the captaincy during his time in the top flight of academy football and entered Nottingham with considerable minutes under his belt, despite his absence from the men’s scene.
It will be a tall order for County’s second arrival this summer to hit the ground running in quite the same way the preceding youngster of County’s midfield displayed.
However, he did embark on a brief loan spell for Hyde United in the Northern Premier League, which is the equivalent of Step 3 in the English football pyramid, and exposed himself to men’s football more in the 7 games he played there.
Iorpenda’s physical presence and comfort in midfield areas started to unveil itself when he was named Huddersfield Town’s academy player of the year after the 2022/2023 season.
His profile now comprises an intimidating physical frame and he is an all-rounded asset if he was deployed by the not yet announced new manager of County at the centre of the spine.
Speaking to the Notts County website, Iorpenda expressed his excitement to exert himself fully and attempt to finally break into a first team setup.
“I know I’ve been blessed with a great opportunity and I’m not taking it for granted.
“The club has a clear understanding of what it wants and where it’s trying to get to, which really drew me in.
“I also happened to watch a couple of Notts games last season and was really impressed with the attractive football they played – and that’s something I want to come in and help with.”
He is supposedly alluding to the possession-based approach County adopted with the now sacked Stuart Maynard at the helm.
This possession was not always used to its best efficiency, which was reflected in County’s disappointing run-in last season with one win in their last eight games.
He also admitted to the troubles he faced from Christmas onwards last year when he sustained a back injury which staggered his progression, and he highlighted the evolution of his style of play as well.
“It came at a really frustrating time because I was supposed to go out on loan in January.
“But I was able to spend a lot of time in the gym, which I’m hoping will improve my game, and now I’m hungrier than ever and ready to go.
“Getting a full pre-season and having time to settle in will be really helpful.”
He added, “I played on the wing for Brighton for about 10 years – but gradually moved into midfield as I got taller.
“I still naturally like to drift into space and receive the ball in wide areas, as well as on the half-turn in tight central spaces before driving forward.
“I enjoy being on the ball – and with my size and stature I can cope with the physical side of the game.
“Since breaking into the first team I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of playing for points and experiencing that competitiveness and physicality, which you don’t have in academy football.”
He may not hold the same experience George Abbott could draw on when he got his first taste of a loan spell, nor the same credentials as County’s accompanying signing Matthew Dennis.
Yet, Iorpenda could have more hunger to make a statement than both of these players.
It still may warrant several games before he reaches closer to his full potential, but rather than reminiscing about his debut when he shared the pitch with Premier League great Kevin De Bruyne in an FA Cup tie, Notts County can be a serious springboard for Iorpenda, like Abbott, to personally strive to these greater levels in the future.
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