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Your support makes all the difference.Tom Huddlestone says Hull manager Steve Bruce was the key to persuading him to swap the sharp end of the Barclays Premier League for an almost certain season-long battle against relegation.
The cultured midfielder last night became the Tigers' biggest summer signing, penning a three-year deal after arriving from Tottenham for a fee that Press Association Sport understands at least matches the £5million Hull spent on Jimmy Bullard in 2009.
The 26-year-old England international has endured a frustrating time at White Hart Lane in recent seasons, fighting both injury and an influx of world-class talent that limited his outings in the Spurs midfield, and he hopes the move to East Yorkshire can kick-start his career.
"It's been a frustrating couple of years at Tottenham whether it be [because of] injuries or team selection. Hopefully I can come here, cement my place in the starting 11, and do well for the club," Huddlestone told Tigers Player.
"I had a chance to speak to Steve Bruce and I liked his ideas, his role for me within the team, and what he wants the team to do and the way he wants them to play.
"Once I'd spoken to him my mind was made up really."
Huddlestone, who made 209 appearances for Spurs over eight years since signing from Derby, will be a vital component in Bruce's plans as he bids to preserve Hull's Premier League status following their dramatic promotion on the final day of last season.
Yesterday's arrival of midfielder Jake Livermore, also from Spurs, on a season-long loan takes Bruce's summer signings into double figures, and Huddlestone revealed he is looking forward to the challenge - even though the move away from north London was a wrench.
"It's obviously very exciting times for the club," he said.
"It was a very difficult decision [to leave Spurs]. Having been at Tottenham for eight years and with the club in the situation they are now, it was a very difficult decision to make, but one based on footballing reasons."
Huddlestone, capped four times by England, has been allocated squad number eight for the new season, which for Bruce's men gets under way at Chelsea on Sunday.
Despite arriving so late in pre-season, Huddlestone is ready to be thrown into the mix at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
"I'll be ready to train [on Thursday] and then we'll see what the manager does for the game," he said.
"They don't really come much bigger than Chelsea away, with Jose Mourinho returning and everything else that goes with it."
PA
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