The Middlesbrough-born 26-year-old returns to Teesside after carving out a name for himself in the EFL before making the switch to West Ham in January.

The six-foot marksman learnt his trade in the Northern League with spells at Marske, Seaham Red Star, Consett, and Northern Premier League Whitby before turning professional with Port Vale at the age of 21.

He swiftly earned a move to Preston and he flourished under the management of Simon Grayson and then Alex Neill, scoring 30 goals in 81 starts to earn a Premier League move.

Hugill met a number of his new team-mates at Rockliffe on Wednesday and will join in training for the first time on Thursday, ahead of the weekend game against Birmingham City.

He will wear squad number 11.