Hull sign Ryan Mason in 'club-record' deal

London (AFP) – Hull City announced the signing of English central midfielder Ryan Mason from Tottenham Hotspur for a “club-record fee” on Tuesday.

Hull did not specify how much they had paid for the 25-year-old, but they were reported to have spent 10 million pounds ($13.1 million, 11.7 million euros) on previous record signing Abel Hernandez in 2014.

Mason has signed a three-year contract and becomes the second player to join Hull on Tuesday following goalkeeper David Marshall’s arrival from Cardiff City.

“I’m delighted and excited to be here,” Mason said in an article on the Hull website.

“I can’t wait to get started and I see this as a massive opportunity for me.”

Mason came through the youth ranks at Tottenham and made his first-team debut at the age of 17 in November 2008.

He subsequently spent time on loan at Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall, French side Lorient and Swindon Town.

He broke into the Spurs first team in the 2014-15 season, making 31 league appearances and winning his first England cap in a 1-1 friendly draw with Italy in March 2015.

But the emergence of Eric Dier and Dele Alli limited his involvement last season, prompting him to seek pastures new.

In leaving Tottenham for Hull, Mason follows in the footsteps of Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore and Michael Dawson.

Hull were left in disarray after manager Steve Bruce left on the eve of the season and they went into the campaign with only 13 fit senior players.

But they won their first two games, defeating champions Leicester City and Swansea City, before narrowly losing 1-0 to Manchester United last weekend.