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Transfer news: Hull manager Steve Bruce delighted with acquisitions of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore

Tigers boss feels additions will make the rest of the Premier League 'sit up and take notice'

Rory Dollard
Thursday 15 August 2013 17:04 BST
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Hull manager Steve Bruce is delighted with the signing of both Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore
Hull manager Steve Bruce is delighted with the signing of both Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore

Hull manager Steve Bruce believes the arrival of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore at the KC Stadium will make the rest of the Barclays Premier League “sit up and take notice” of his side.

Bruce brought the midfield duo in from Tottenham yesterday, Huddlestone on a permanent deal and Livermore on a season-long loan, shelling out in the region of £5.25million in the process.

That makes it the Tigers' biggest transfer deal since the ill-fated move for Jimmy Bullard but Bruce is confident he has pulled off a coup for the club.

Both men have been capped by England and have agreed to swap supporting roles at White Hart Lane for life at a newly promoted club whose primary objective is still to be in the division this time next year.

Bruce, who faced competition for both players, could hardly hide his satisfaction.

"To agree a fee with Tottenham and then to persuade the two boys to come here, to enjoy playing here, we're delighted with the business we've done," he said.

"It just shows what the Premier League is all about. To get two England players to come here at this time is terrific for us.

"Every manager is never, ever satisfied and I'd be happy with one more in but if we didn't do anything else then we've done very, very well with what we have managed to bring in.

"It's given us a huge chance of staying in the division, especially these two; this has got everyone to sit up and take notice of what we're trying to do.

"That's how far we've come in 12 months and that's what the Premier League can do."

The capture of 26-year-old Huddlestone on a three-year deal is a particularly eye-catching move.

With plenty of top-flight experience, plenty of years left on the clock and aspirations to return to international football he is perfect fit for Bruce's squad, which appeared light in the centre after Bruce allowed Tom Cairney and Corry Evans to leave for Blackburn.

"He's just a fabulous football player, who is at the right age," he said.

"I just watched him train and he's a quality footballer.

"He's got something we've been wanting to bring into the club for a long time now...the ability to pass the ball the way he can. There's not many, left-footed or right-footed, who can pass a ball as well as Tom.

"He's stll young enough, he's played for England before. Let's hope playing for us week in, week out can get him back in there and if we can help him along the way that's terrific."

Bruce was also pleased to eke the added value of Livermore's loan deal out of Spurs, who are notoriously canny operators in the market.

"Jake is someone we've been trying all summer for," he said. "To roll the two into one deal was terrific for us. As always with (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy it was difficult at times but I'd like to thank him.

"It's not often you get a player of Jake's ability on loan."

Huddlestone, who turned down strong overtures from Sunderland, was won over by Bruce's vision for the club.

He also had his heart set on being a regular starter this season and accepted that would not be likely under Andre Villas-Boas.

"I was very pleased with what the manager had to say, the role he has in mind for me and the way he wants the team to function," he said.

"He wants me to get on ball as much as possible and give me licence to get forward as well.

"I had some some good years at Tottenham but the last couple of years, whether through injury or not being selected by the new manager, have been frustrating.

"I played quite a few games last year but not as many as I maybe would have liked.

"I have the chance to play more regularly that I was was given the opportunity to last season and as a footballer, when you've missed large periods with injury you just want to play as regularly as possible."

PA

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