David Artell says it is his aim to get Tommie Hoban back to the levels that saw him playing for the likes of Watford and Blackburn Rovers earlier in his career.

The 27-year-old defender has suffered some severe injuries that potentially curtailed his career at that level but Artell believes we have a top player on our hands.

Hoban has signed an initial 12 month contract with an option for a further year.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Tommie is a good footballer. He needs a bit of refining in that but not much. There is nothing drastic and I am looking forward to seeing him play because he brings a bit of everything.

“He has played at the top level and had the ability to do that. Injuries have probably curtailed a career at that level for him but if we can get him anywhere near that level again then we will have some player.

“He has played at a very good level and he can do a bit of both. He can defend, head the ball out of our box and all that stuff but he can also play football as well. That is a rarity to have a centre-half who can do both, so we think we have a good player on our hands.”