It’s not that long since Jack Payne was at school.

And the lively forward says doing his homework on a move to Huddersfield Town has paid off.

The £500,000 signing from League I Southend United is settling nicely up North.

Born and bred in East London, the childhood West Ham United supporter, who was once on the books of Tottenham Hotspur, has no regrets about swapping jellied eels for pie and peas.

That’s in a metaphorical sense, of course.

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Town players all follow individual nutrition plans and Payne says that kind of attention to detail was one of the things which attracted him to the club.

“It was a big decision to leave Southend,” explained the 21-year-old who came through the Roots Hall academy system, made 88 appearances, scoring 17 goals, and rejected the chance to remain in Essex.

“They are a really good club, I learned a lot there and I will always be grateful to them for giving me my first chance.

“But I thought the time was right for me to move up to Championship level.

“Last season I heard a lot about the way Huddersfield Town play, and when I started to look into the club, I like what I learned about them.

“That was reinforced when I came up and spoke to (chairman) Dean Hoyle and (head coach) David Wagner.

“They are both driven and ambitious and they have a clear plan about how the club will go forward.”

Huddersfield's Jack Payne celebrates scoring his side's second goal in the friendly at Oldham

Last season’s Southend player of the year has agreed a contract until 2019, with Town having the option of adding a further 12 months.

“When the offer came, I couldn’t say no to be honest,” he added.

“Everything I wanted from the move is here - the manager, the style of football, the size of the club.

“The atmosphere at the Liverpool friendly (21,266 watched) was great.

“The season-card offer means we should have good crowds at all our home games, and I am looking forward to playing in front of our fans.

“Their reaction to me at the friendlies has been great.

“The other players have been very good too, and that has really helped me find my feet.

“This manager likes his players to work hard and play good football, and that’s what I am about.”

Payne, whose rivals for the No10 berth include on-loan Chelsea and England Under 21 player Kasey Palmer, said: “I know I will have to work very hard.

“But I want to play regularly, get goals and help club move in the right direction.

“I like to think I am an exciting player who can get fans out of their seats and score a few goals.”

Looking back on his formative years, Payne explained: “I was at Tottenham until I was 13.

“When I left, I played for my local club Buckhurst Hill, and my district Redbridge.

“I was scouted by Southend and I joined them at 15.

“They gave me a two-year scholarship 12 months later, then I had three seasons in the first team.

“Now I am at Huddersfield and I am eager to push forward again.”