Player of the Year Jones pens new Tigers deal

BALL-PLAYER: Defender Alfie Jones, who has signed a new three-year contract. Pictures by Hull City

By Simon Bristow

Hull City defender Alfie Jones has signed a new three-year contract.

The 25-year-old’s new deal will run until the summer of 2026 and includes a club option of an additional year.

The steady centre-back was named 2022/23 Player of the Year by head coach Liam Rosenior after impressing with his consistently assured defensive displays, helping to keep 12 clean sheets.

In his three seasons at the MKM Stadium since signing from Southampton in September 2020, Jones has helped the Tigers progress year on year.

He made 39 outings as City lifted the League One title in his first season and scored one goal in 23 matches as the Tigers comfortably avoided Championship relegation during an injury-disrupted second.

‘OUTSTANDING SEASON’: Alfie Jones

Bristol-born Jones took his performances to a new level in the season just ended, surpassing a century of appearances in Black and Amber after starting 40 out of 46 league fixtures.

He becomes the second player to pen a new long-term deal after fellow centre-half Sean McLoughlin, with whom he has formed a formidable partnership at the heart of defence.

Rosenior said: “Alfie was outstanding last season and showed he is one of the best ball-playing centre-halves in the Championship.

“What impressed me was the consistency of his performances; he made crucial interceptions, crucial blocks and was brave in taking the ball from the goalkeeper and playing out from the back, helping the whole team with the way we play.

“He displays all the qualities I want in the team but still has a lot more growth and potential – and it’s really exciting that’s going to be here with us.

“The fact he and Sean have committed their long-term futures to the club shows the direction we’re heading in. We’re going to be building the squad around characters like Alfie and Sean.”