Hill's the spur for United

As reported in yesterday's later editions, the 23-year-old became Shotton's first signing of the summer - subject to passing a medical.

Hill won four England Under 21 caps during his time at White Hart Lane, but in competition with Spurs' star-studded squad has found his first-team opportunities limited since he signed as a trainee six years ago.

However, Shotton is hoping that Hill's top-flight experience with Tottenham will now bring out the best in him.

"He has played 20 games and been with world class players down there," said United's boss.

"He has been there quite a few years from a very young schoolboy and it is a very good grounding.

"Everyone we have spoken to rates him highly. I have seen him play, Maurice (Evans) has seen him play and Mark (Harrison) has seen him play.

"He has also played against us in the reserves and done very well."

Shotton will also be looking to Hill - who has spent loan spells at Birmingham and Watford during his time at Spurs - to improve the creativity of United's midfield.

"He is a good passer of the ball and hopefully he will be a very good acquisition for the football club," he said. "He is very keen to come. He has had a lot of offers from other places who have offered him more money, but obviously he sees this place as an up and coming club."

Shotton, who is hoping to make another signing before the end of the week, added that Spurs had offered Hill a new contract, but he was keen to get first-team football.

"He wants to benefit himself and play league football. He has an ambition to play," he said.

"The Premier League is such that they have got to go out and spend millions and the younger ones are hopefully going to come our way because we cannot go out and spend millions, so we are quite pleased."

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