With Leon Cort departing to Crystal Palace for a new club record fee, Michael became new manager Phil Parkinson's first signing for the Tigers when he was recruited from Brentford in a three-year deal.

The big right-sided centre-back arrived for a fee of £350,000 - at the time, the most the Tigers had ever paid for a defender.

Lewisham-born Michael came through the ranks at Premiership Charlton Athletic.

Although he became captain of the Addicks reserves, he didn't make the breakthrough in to their first team.

His first taste of senior action came in a 7-game loan spell at Leyton Orient towards the end of the 2002-03 season.

Michael had to wait another year before he was given a chance of a second loan stint. This time it was at Brentford.

Three weeks before making his only previous appearance at the KC Stadium (City won a League One game 2-0 with a brace from Stuart Elliott), he agreed to join Martin Allen's Bees on a permanent basis in November 2004.

Michael became the mainstay in the heart of their defence over his two seasons at Griffin Park.

He claimed the players` 'Player of the Year' award in his first full season, then was Bees' only ever present in their 2005-06 league campaign when he won the supporters' Player of the Year award.

Brentford reached the League One Play-Offs in both his seasons in West London.

He made a total of 110 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.

Michael become the first player to move directly between the Tigers and the Bees.

He faced a difficult first term at the KC as the Tigers battled against relegation.

However, Michael came through it with flying colours as he was named the Supporters' Club's Player of the Year and, with a spectular and crucial winner at Luton Town in March, also won the vote for the Tigers' Goal of the Season prize.

After being dropped to the bench for the first game of the 2007-08 season, Michael bounced back in fine style as he struck an outstanding partnership at the heart of defence with experienced new signing Wayne Brown.

Missing only one further game due to suspension, he gave a series of outstanding displays as the Tigers enjoyed the best-ever season by reaching the Championship Play-Offs.

His superb performance was one of the highlights of the memorable Final win against Bristol City at Wembley in May 2008 as promotion to the Premier League was secured.