Huddersfield Town have landed Christopher Schindler from 1860 Munich as their new £1.8m record signing.

Following the £1.5m-package departure of Joel Lynch to QPR, Town have drafted in 6ft 2in Schindler, 26, on a three-year contract.

The seven-figure fee eclipses the amount paid for reigning Player of the Year Nahki Wells, who arrived from Bradford City in January 2014 for £1.3m.

Town’s head coach David Wagner is delighted to have captured a man with over 200 career appearances and who was captain at his home-city club.

“I am totally comfortable breaking the club’s transfer record to bring Christopher here,” said Wagner.

“A big part of our decision to allow Joel Lynch to join Queens Park Rangers was the availability of Christopher.

“We have reinvested that transfer fee – and more – into bringing a top-class centre-back to Huddersfield Town, one who is only 26 years old.

“It will have been a big decision to leave his hometown club after spending so long there (17 years), but Christopher is desperate to come and play for us in the Championship.”

Town now have five defenders who were captains at their former clubs in Schindler, Chris Lowe, Michael Hefele, Martin Cranie and club skipper Mark Hudson.

Christopher Schindler becomes Huddersfield Town new record signing from 1860 Munich

“Christopher is an excellent defender,” added Wagner, who revealed Town have the option of extending Schindler’s contract by a further year to 2020.

“He is good in the aerial challenge and is a very composed player, who is great at reading the game.

“He will suit our playing style very well, as he is always on the front foot, and he is also a fantastic character and another leader in the defensive area for us, which is very important.”

After playing for the Under 19 team for three seasons, Schindler – who earned four caps for Germany Under 21s – made his professional debut in the Regionalliga Sud for 1860 Munich II in late 2009.

His 2.Bundesliga debut for the Lions’ first team soon followed in October 2010, in a 1-0 win over Union Berlin. He finished his debut campaign having made five starts and 11 substitute appearances.

Huddersfield Town new record £1.8m signing Christopher Schindler from 1860 Munich

Town’s new arrival became a first-team regular in the 2011-12 campaign, also lining up at right back and in a holding midfield position on occasion, before cementing a centre-back berth.

He made 30 appearances that season as the side finished sixth in the 2.Liga.

Schindler took over as club captain at 1860 – who he admits to be sad to leave – in 2014 and has been a virtual ever-present since.

Last season he started 36 games and is one of two players in the reckoning to win the fans’ Player of the Season vote.

His contract in Germany was due to run until the summer of 2019.