Jordan Hugill: From the Dickens Inn pub to West Ham United

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Just over five years ago, new West Ham signing Jordan Hugill worked shifts in the Dickens Inn pub, situated in his home city of Middlesbrough.

Hugill had just joined non league Marske United on loan, still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered whilst playing for Whitby Town.

The striker was originally supposed to go on trial with then-Premier League side Sunderland in 2009, but suffered an ankle injury and eventually went on to join the Glenn Hoddle Academy.

Hoddle spoke of his pride, on the evening of Deadline Day, at seeing the 25-year-old progress from that academy all the way to West Ham United, who he has signed for nearly £10 million from Preston North End.

Hammers boss David Moyes formerly managed North End, and still has close ties with the club.

He has attended various games at Deepdale this season, so will know the qualities that Hugill will bring to the table at the London Stadium.

Hugill leaves the Lilywhites with 30 goals in over 100 appearances for the club, 23 of those coming in the past two seasons, having joined in the summer of 2014 from Port Vale.

His recent move represents a huge profit for Preston, eclipsing their previous club record sale, that of David Nugent to Portsmouth for £6 million in 2007.

However, he will be a significant loss, especially considering he is their top goal scorer in all competitions this season with 10, eight of those coming in the league.

He spent two loan spells away from North End in his first season, his second at Hartlepool being an infamous one.

His four goals, including the winner against Exeter City that kept Pools in the Football League that season, wrote his name in Hartlepool folklore, despite having only been at the club for just over a month.

He made huge strides in the following two seasons, forcing his way into Preston’s starting line-up and, crucially, staying there.

Something that is uncommon in football these days is a deal that suits all parties, with this deal a good example of that.

West Ham are getting themselves the new striker they desperately needed and Preston get a good financial deal for the striker.

It also gives other members of Alex Neil’s squad the chance to press their claims to become Hugill’s replacement as North End push for the Championship play-off spots.

The club’s 3-0 away win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, without Hugill in the side, shows that they have players capable of stepping up.

The player himself wanted a move in August, having had a transfer request rejected on deadline day, before finally getting his Premier League move this window.

In terms of his playing style, Hugill’s hold up play is amongst the best in the country, with the striker an effective presence up front.

Andy Carroll has had plenty of success playing the lone target man role for West Ham, when fit, and Hugill will be aspiring to reach that kind of level.

His natural finishing ability does need some improvement, but working with the likes of Carroll and Javier Hernandez means he will be learning from some of the best in the business.

Hugill is still unproven to West Ham fans – he was unknown to some when he was first linked – but his work ethic and commitment to improving should bring them onside as he looks to establish himself in the Premier League.