Young midfielder Vaughn Covil has joined Hull City Academy on a one-year deal, with the club holding the option of an extra year.
The 18-year-old will link up with Richard Naylor’s Under-23 side as he continues his development with the Tigers in the Professional Development League.
Born in San Diego, California, Covil played youth football at Amesbury Town, before signing for Premier League side Southampton in 2014. Spending five years with the Saints, Covil joined Forest Green Rovers in June 2019.
Four months later, the attacking midfielder made his debut for Rovers in a goalless EFL Trophy draw against Coventry City, scoring his spot-kick in a 8-7 penalty shootout win.
Also netting in the third round of the FA Youth Cup against Middlesbrough, Covil made seven appearances for Forest Green over two years, with two of them coming in League Two.
Spending time out on loan at Salisbury and Melksham Town in his career, the 18-year-old has been called up internationally by England at Under-15s level, and United States at Under-16s level.
Covil spent time on trial with the Tigers at the back end of the 2021/22 season, scoring the second goal in a 3-0 victory over Cardiff City Under-23s at the MKM Stadium back in April.
The attacking midfielder has also been training regularly at Cottingham with Shota Arveladze and the first team since joining the Tigers.
“I’m really excited to be here. It’s been a long time coming over the summer and I just can’t wait to get going,” said Covil.
“First and foremost, I want to establish myself with the Under-23s. I want to be a big part of the Under-23s doing well and then after that, try and train with the first team as much as I can, impress as much as I can and just show everyone what I’m about.
“There has definitely been that pathway at the club over the past few seasons so I don’t know why I can’t be a part of that and if I continue to work hard and impress and be focused on that objective, then I don’t see why not.”