Craig Fagan admitted he couldn't be happier after finally completing the paperwork to seal his return to the Tigers on a permanent basis.

After initally returning to the club on loan back in March, Fagan played his part in helping City earn a place in the Premier League for the 2008/09 campaign but had to endure a five-week wait before sealing his £750,000 switch from Derby County.

Speaking from the Tigers' pre-season training camp in Bormio, he said: "It's been a bit of weird situation but obviously I'm delighted to have finally signed on the dotted line.

"I was here before and now I've come back the team is in the Premier League and naturally I can't wait to be involved in the coming season."

Fagan initially left the club to join Derby midway through the 2006/07 campaign with the Tigers involved in a relegation battle at the bottom of the Championship.

However, 18 months later and it's a completely different story. Phil Brown guided the Tigers to Play-Off Final success over Bristol City at Wembley back in May and the 25-year-old has nothing but praise for the role Brown has played in transforming the club.

"Obviously there have been a few additions to the squad since I was last here on a permanent basis but I think the major difference has been the vast improvement in the players.

"In the interviews I gave before I left the club back In January 2006, I always said what a good coach and manager Phil Brown was.

"He's certainly played a major role in helping a lot of the players improve their game and obviously the team and the club are benefiting from that."

Fagan is currently enjoying his first experience training out in Italy having not been with the club for their first trip to Bormio last summer and is delighted with the facilities on offer to the Tigers' first-team.

"The hotel has everything we need and the training facilities are fantastic. The pitches are great which makes it easier for us to train on and makes it enjoyable. If you look around and see the surroundings, the mountains are absolutely gorgeous.

"We've got bikes to go for a bike ride tomorrow (Friday) morning which I'm sure will be hard work but all the facilities here are first class and can only help us in our preparations for the Premier League.

"I think it's good to get away from the distractions back home to allow us to concentrate on getting fit for the new season."