COMBATIVE midfielder Hope Akpan has joined City on a two-year deal after rejecting the chance to stay with relegated Burton.

The 26-year-old, who becomes the ninth arrival of the summer at Valley Parade, will add a tough-tackling presence in the centre of midfield.

Akpan made 29 appearances for the Brewers in the Championship last season, scoring twice, but turned down the offer of a new contract with Nigel Clough’s men.

The Liverpool-born Nigerian international, who has four caps, began as a trainee with Everton and has also played for Crawley, Reading and Blackburn.