A product of the Tigers' youth system, Tom Cairney signed his first professional forms ahead of the 2009/10 season.

Voted the Club's Young Player of the Year for 2008/09, Tom was also included in City's initial squad for the FA Cup Third Round tie against Newcastle, although he didn't make the final cut. He was also a member of the Tigers' travelling party for several away games in the second half of the season.

Tom was given further chances to impress in the build-up to the 09/10 season. After scoring in a 3-0 win against Winterton Rangers, he produced an impressive performance when included from the start of the Barclays Asia Trophy Final against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 2009/10 season would mark Tom's breakthrough into the first-team frame. He made an instant impact on his senior debut in August 2009's Carling Cup second round tie against Southend, scoring a spectacular goal after only seven minutes.

Although featuring in further Cup matches against Everton and Wigan, Tom had to wait until January 2010 to register his first League start in black and amber.

The midfielder's patience paid off in full, as after starting in City's home game against Wolves, he maintained his place to help the Tigers achieve memorable results against eventual League Champions Chelsea, and big-spenders Man City.

Fittingly for a player with an eye for the spectacular, Tom's first League goal also ended up as the club's 'Goal of the Season'. In a moment of inspiration during an otherwise disappointing afternoon at Everton, Tom pounced on a half-clearance to send a superb left-foot volley past a helpless Tim Howard.

Continuing to impress on a personal level despite City's eventual relegation from the top-flight, Tom committed his long-term future to the Tigers when signing a contract extension up until the summer of 2013.

Starting the 2010/11 as an established member of the first team squad, Tom has quickly adapted to life in the Championship.

A regular starter under City boss Nigel Pearson, he scored his first goal of the season at Norwich. Curling an 88^th minute free-kick into the corner of the net, the teenager sealed the club's first away win since March 2009.

Although born in Nottingham, much to his father Ian's delight, Tom has represented Scotland at both Under-19 and Under-21 levels.

UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES FOR SCOTLAND WHILST WITH HULL CITY
Total: 4 caps
09.09.2009 H v Iceland in Stirling (Friendly)
10.10.2009 N v Romania in St Veit an der Glan, Austria (Euro Championship Qualifier) - [SUB]
12.10.2009 N v Armenia in Feldkirchen, Austria (Euro Championship Qualifier) - [SUB]
15.10.2009 A v Austria in St Veit an der Glan (Euro Championship Qualifier)

 UNDER-21 INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES FOR SCOTLAND WHILST WITH HULL CITY
Total upto 31 December 2010: 1 cap
11.08.2010 H v Sweden in St Mirren (Friendly) - [SUB]