After starring in StriveAid last month, giant striker Kyle Hudlin has returned to professional football with non-league side Harborough Town.
The 6ft 9in striker has officially signed for the National League North club, bringing his extensive EFL and international experience to the Bees.
He was signed in time to feature in the opening round of the FA Cup, and is set to feature against Leyton Orient in London on Saturday.
Hudlin joins Mitch Austin's side after spells with Solihull Moors, Huddersfield Town, AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion and Newport County in English football, and has been given the number 25 shirt.
From StriveAid to the FA Cup in a month
Hudlin played in StriveAid26 for Team Roberto Carlos, leading the line against Team Gilberto Silva.
The giant striker was a handful for the opposition defenders, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the game.
His efforts could not prevent his team from losing 11-5 to their Zaynqf-inspired opponents, but he was named as the Fans' Player of the Match.
Hudlin must now replicate that form on the professional stage in the oldest association football cup competition in world football, starting this weekend.
The odds are stacked against his side, as they will come up against a League One side away from home, but the striker will be keen to prove his worth.
Who is Kyle Hudlin? The 6ft 9in giant reshaping non-league football
Standing at an astonishing 2.06 m, Hudlin holds the distinction of being one of the tallest professional outfield players in world football.
Born in Birmingham, England, Hudlin first captured the footballing world's attention as a non-league star with Solihull Moors, scoring 17 times in 69 outings before earning a high-profile professional contract further up the English football pyramid.
Beyond his towering physical stature, Hudlin possesses surprising technical competence and an imposing aerial presence that makes him an absolute nightmare for opposition central defenders.
All of the above, as well as his cool finishing ability, were on show during the StriveAid game, and the Bees will expect him to show them regularly this season.
His arrival at Harborough Town represents a landmark moment for the club and coach Austin, who can opt to play him alongside former Middlesbrough man Britt Assombalonga in attack.
Having followed the striker's career since his memorable goal-scoring exploits for Solihull Moors, the coach recognized the unique tactical dimensions Hudlin brings to the pitch.
By bringing in a player with Championship, League One, League Two, and Asian top-flight experience, Harborough Town has demonstrated their ambition to climb the non-league ladder.
From the EFL and Vietnam to the Bees: Tracing Hudlin’s unique career path
Hudlin began his journey with Solihull Moors before moving to Championship side Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2022.
During his time with the Terriers, he gained valuable competitive experience through loan spells across the English Football League, turning out for AFC Wimbledon in League Two, Burton Albion in League One, and Newport County.
By the summer of 2025, he ventured abroad to sign for V.League 1 side Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in Vietnam.
He spent a year in Southeast Asia before returning to England, where he underwent a trial with Carlisle United in pre-season.
His decision to join Harborough Town as a free agent proves his hunger to make an immediate, impactful return to English football.
