Former Huddersfield Town forward Rhys Healey has joined National League North side Southport. The 31-year-old has signed for the non-league side after having his contract at Town terminated by mutual consent in the summer.
The striker made his debut for the Sandgrounders as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 defeat at Morecambe in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday. Following the forward’s first outing for his new side, Southport boss Mark Duffy told his club: “He’s been in for two days, I think he was in Tuesday, Thursday, but you can see his quality. We just need to get him up to speed.”
The attacker was blighted by injury issues during his two-and-a-half year spell at Town. Healey joined the Terriers in January 2024, and went on to feature 22 times in all competitions for the club, scoring five goals.
The 31-year-old didn’t make any appearances for Town in his final season with the club, with the forward joining League Two outfit Barrow on loan before getting injured on his debut last August, which was his only game of the campaign.
In a post on X after his departure from Town was confirmed, Healey said: “Thanks to all the staff and players during my time here. Unfortunately it didn’t go the way I would have liked. All the best for the future.”
Healey’s move to Southport is the seventh permanent club of his career to date, with the striker joining a side who sit 20th in the National League North table.
The forward began his career with Connah’s Quay Nomads before joining Cardiff City, where he went on to have a series of loan spells with the likes of Colchester United, Dundee, Newport County and Torquay United.
A loan switch to MK Dons turned into a permanent transfer in 2019, before the striker went on to join Toulouse.
Healey netted 40 goals in 77 games for the then Ligue 2 outfit before returning to England with Watford in the summer of 2023, before signing for Town the following January.
