Smart thinking as striker Tom Eaves returns to Rotherham United

The former Hull City striker, linked to the club in the previous few windows, has finally sealed a move to South Yorkshire, signing a three-year deal.

The Liverpool-born player spent a brief loan spell with United back in 2013 as a 21-year-old.

Now 30, Eaves, whose signing followed on from the capture of Luton Town wing-back Peter Kioso, said: “I am a different animal to what I was at that age and I am looking forward to getting going.

“My mentality (has changed) absolutely, 100 per cent. I just think that back then, I always gave 100 per cent.

“But now, it is just working a lot smarter and knowing the areas I need to be in and just being the most efficient number nine I can be.

“But make no bones about it, it is goals that I am going to be interested in this year when I see the ball coming in from both sides.”

A physical presence and focal point up front with a strong work rate, Eaves feels his all-round game makes him a natural fit for the club under Paul Warne as well.

Eaves, who scored 18 goals in 107 appearances for Hull, continued: “Stylistically, I felt like Rotherham would really suit me.

“When he (Warne) spoke to me, he spoke about the style of play and how we want to play and I just feel like I will be a really good fit for this team.

“I’d like to think I will be a good addition to the lads.

“It’s a really tough league and you have strong teams coming down and big clubs coming up.

“It will be a challenge, but I can see from meeting everyone that we are a really strong, honest group of lads and I am looking forward to working with every one of them.”