Defender Alex Bruce has today been released by Hull City.
Hull City’s Alex Bruce applauds fans after the game
Hull City defender Alex Bruce has today been released by the Tigers, making him available on a free transfer – and Aston Villa are the current favourites for his signature.
Bruce, 32, joined Hull from Leeds United back in 2012, and he made more than 100 appearances for the club whilst winning two promotions to the Premier League with the Tigers.
Steve Bruce and Alex Bruce celebrate
The centre back didn’t feature at all for Hull before being loaned out to Wigan Athletic in January, and with just 43 minutes played across two appearances for the Latics, it’s no surprise that Bruce is leaving Hull.
With his contract at the KCOM Stadium expiring this summer, Bruce is now free to move on to another club – and, somewhat unsurprisingly, Aston Villa are being touted as the frontrunners for his signature by Ladbrokes.
General view inside Villa Park
The bookmaker has installed Villa as 6/4 favourites for Bruce, which shouldn’t come as a major surprise given that his father Steve Bruce is currently Villa boss.
Bruce does have a number of centre backs at his disposal in James Chester, Nathan Baker, Tommy Elphick and Micah Richards, but the latter two look set to leave the club this summer, meaning Villa may need other options at the back.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Chris Samba has recently been training with Villa in a bid to try and win a contract, but if Bruce wants to bring in an experienced centre back as cover at centre back, then his son may be a sensible option.
The pair have worked together previously at Birmingham City and Hull, and Villa – who may not have the biggest budget this summer due to FFP restrictions – should maybe consider Alex Bruce on a free transfer, and the odds of 6/4 on a deal being done mean that this is one for Villa fans to monitor.
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