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Well done Adkins: Hull have bagged themselves a coup by signing this 6ft 4in giant

Why George Long is an excellent signing for Hull City

As per reports, Hull City have completed the signing of goalkeeper George Long from Championship rivals Sheffield United. Long, 24, joins on an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal, with an option of another year.

Following the departure of Allan McGregor this summer, Long is expected to provide competition to David Marshall for the No.1 spot this season, potentially allowing one of Will Mannion or Callum Burton to leave the club on loan.

Hull City manager Nigel Adkins earlier confirmed David Marshall will be his No.1 choice in goal this season. And after the highly experienced McGregor departed for Rangers earlier this summer, it was important for Adkins to bring someone with the quality as well as the potential to develop further.

In that case, Adkins’ choice to sign George Long bodes well as he knows the former England youth international well, having worked with the shot-stopper at Bramall Lane.

Joining Sheffield United as a nine-year-old kid, Long spent 16 years at the club and went on to make over 100 league appearances for the Blades. But his last appearance in a Sheffield jersey came in September 2016.

However, with chances hard to come by, the goalkeeper left the Blades for AFC Wimbledon on a season-long loan where he impressed by every means.

At Wimbledon last season, Long made 45 league appearances and astonishingly contributed to the team’s cause with two assists. He was one of the chief reasons why Wimbledon narrowly avoided survived relegation to League Two last season, finishing three points above the drop zone.

The 24-year-old notched an impressive 11 clean sheets and despite enjoying a solid loan spell, Sheffield transfer listed him this summer.

Hull have now pulled off a bargain by signing Long from Sheffield. Despite being just 24, which is fairly young for a goalkeeper, Long has gathered a wealth of experience in his career so far, although a large chunk of his displays have come in League One.

Also, the 6ft 4in goalkeeper has represented England at both Under-18 and Under-20 levels in the past. Long also received call-ups to the Under-21’s when Gareth Southgate was the manager but never made an appearance for them.

Read more: Go for it Nigel Adkins – Signing this 24-year old could be a smart move for Hull City

A modern-day goalkeeper with fantastic reflexes and ball-playing abilities, Long is a fantastic addition for Hull.

The 24-year-old may have to wait for his chance at the KCOM Stadium but given he is a technically sound and an aerially gifted goalkeeper, it will be a matter of when and not if, for him to be the club’s No.1 between the sticks.

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