Hull City sign Richie Smallwood to be their new leader

The Redcar-born 29-year-old was available on a free transfer after being released by Blackburn Rovers, and has signed a two-year contract with the League One club.

As well as his qualities as a midfielder, Smallwood will be asked to bring leadership to a team which lost captain Eric Lichaj and vice-captain Jackson Irvine in June.

Trailing his fourth signing of the summer, head coach Grant McCann said: “We're recruiting very good characters into the group and there's going to be another one on the way in the next couple of days as the fans will see. We talk about characters, this one is a proper character, a proper leader, so we'll look forward to welcoming him as well.”

Smallwood becomes the Tigers' fourth signing of the summer, after Hull-born Lewie Coyle, former Rotherham loanee Josh Emmanuel and Festus Arthur, who has joined from Stockport County.

Smallwood captained Middlesbrough's reserves when he came through the ranks at the Riverside, but was cast aside in 2014 when new manager Aitor Karanka decided he was not part of his plans. Smallwood had made 60 appearances for his local squad.

He initially joined Rotherham on loan, scoring the winning penalty in their 2014 League One play-off final shoot-out victory over Leyton Orient, the first spot kick of his professional career.

After a second loan spell, the Millers were finally able to agree a £175,000 fee.

Frozen out by Alan Stubbs but brought back into the fold by Paul Warne, Smallwood left for Blackburn Rovers at the end of his contract in 2017.

Smallwood played a key part in Rovers' promotion to the Championship in his first season at Ewood Park, but was phased out by manager Tony Mowbray last season, making just two appearances, both in the League Cup.

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