West Ham United snapped up Jordan Hugill from Preston North End last week.
Jordan Hugill of West Ham United and Gaetan Bong of Brighton and Hove Albion
West Ham United’s deadline day deal for Jordan Hugill may not have appeased fans, but the player himself will be on cloud nine as his remarkable rise continues.
The Hammers were looking for a major striking addition after signing midfielder Joao Mario on loan from Inter Milan, but fans were left disappointed with a deal for Hugill in the final moments of transfer deadline day.
Hugill, 25, hit 10 goals in 29 games for Preston this season after scoring 13 times in all competitions last term, catching the eye as a target man with impressive strength and work rate.
Hugill now heads to work under ex-Preston boss David Moyes, and the transfer fee involved in his move to East London – £10million according to BBC Sport – sums up the meteoric rise for Hugill.
The striker bounced around non-league football in his youth, joining Seaham Red Star, Consett, Whitby Town and Marske United, working as a barman in a Middlesbrough pub less than six years ago.
Hugill even headed to Glenn Hoddle’s Academy in Spain to try and further his career, and got his break in the Football League with Port Vale in 2013, scoring five goals in 24 games with the Valiants to earn his move to Preston.
As reported by the Lancashire Evening Post, Preston paid just £25,000 to sign Hugill in the summer of 2014, and Hugill’s Jamie Vardy-esque rise has been capped off with his stunning £10million Premier League move – something few could have predicted when he was pulling pints in the North East.
Its still fair to say that Hugill split opinion during his time at Preston; some appreciated his hustle and bustle approach, leading the line admirably under Simon Grayson and Alex Neil after stepping up to fill Joe Garner’s boots last season, though others couldn’t wait for the Lilywhites to cash in, noting Hugill’s technical deficiencies and his occasional profligacy in front of goal.
For now though, Hugill will be looking to make a name for himself in the Premier League, and will hope to emulate Vardy’s success in the top flight after earning his huge move.
Jordan Hugill of West Ham United
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