Sergej Jakirovic has moved to explain why Hull City felt Brooke Norton-Cuffy was the right man for them, having assessed numerous options over the summer.
With a couple of days remaining in the window, City struck a deal to sign Norton-Cuffy from Serie A side Genoa, with the defender making his debut for the Tigers a couple of days later in the draw with Aston Villa.
It’s a move that excited a lot of supporters, with the former Arsenal man being a current England under-21 international and plenty of fans will remember his performances while in the Championship on loan earlier in his career.
Indeed, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense for the club as they strive to build on their early season momentum.
However, City very nearly went in a different direction at right-back with the club initially agreeing a deal in principle to sign Josh Vagnoman from Stuttgart.
The club spoke to Vagnoman but things never progressed further as Norton-Cuffy became the clear first choice option for the club as the deadline loomed and Jakirovic has moved to explain what happened.
“The other guy from Stuttgart is also a good player but our concern was that he had a lot of problems in the last two years with injuries so we signed Brooke for this,” the head coach said. “Also, Brooke is English and there is no adaptation.
“He knows a lot of players in our team so also this is an advantage. He can play right full-back, right wing-back also. He’s a very good player, young, 2004, he is our player, it’s perfect.”
Norton-Cuffy’s game time at City has been limited so far with the 22-year-old making just two substitute appearances due to minor injuries.
However, he will stay with the club over the international break and he is expected to be fully fit on the other side of the international break.
“Of course,” Jakirovic added in reference to Norton-Cuffy needing minutes. “It’s also about healthy about fitness, about everything but I’m very happy with Brooke.”