Hull City signing Alfie Jones's mix of passing and aggression excite coach Grant McCann

McCann also revealed the 22-year-old's League One experience was an important factor in persuading the Tigers to pay an undisclosed fee for his services.

Although Jones never made a senior appearance for the Saints – he did play seven times in the Football League Trophy – he played 35 times on loan at Gillingham last season, as well as spending the first half of the previous campaign on loan at St Mirren. He was mainly used in midfield by Steve Evans, but McCann sees him as a right-sided centre-back.

“Alfie is someone I’ve kept an eye on personally over the last two or three years,” said McCann. “He has good experience playing in the Scottish Premier League with St Mirren and he had a good season last year at Gillingham.

“He played a lot in central midfield, which tells us he can handle the ball, but he grew up at Southampton as a centre-back. He wants to get on the ball, he wants to play. He’s aggressive in the tackle and aggressive in the air. He’s a really good character first and foremost and we want to continue his progression.

“He knows the league inside out and played in a team that could possibly have sneaked into the play-offs with the run they were on, had the season not been stopped.

“It was really important to bring him in. We were a bit imbalanced with four left-sided centre-backs. With Ryan Tafazolli moving on, we had to bring someone else in on the right-hand side.

“We’d been trying to get Alfie for a while, so we’re delighted. There were a lot of clubs showing interest in Alfie and we’re delighted he’s picked us.”

Jones has signed a one-year contract, which the club have the option of extending by 12 months. The deal has been completed in time for him to make his Tigers debut in Saturday's League Cup first-round tie at Sunderland.

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