TIMI Odusina tonight became City’s 12th summer recruit and declared: “When you are given an opportunity like this, you have to take it.”

The 22-year-old centre half has joined on a three-year deal from Hartlepool for an undisclosed fee.

City faced competition from several clubs, and there were reports that ambitious new boys Stockport were pushing hard, but it is understood that Odusina was always keen to come to Valley Parade.

The deal took a while until the compensation money was agreed with Pools, who had made him an offer to stay.

Odusina, who played 43 games last season and was named the club’s young player of the year, said: “It feels great to be joining a club of this stature and is a massive relief for me to finally have this over the line.

“It is not every day you get to work under someone who has achieved what the gaffer has, both as a player and a manager, so it was a no-brainer.

“At this stage of my career, I wanted a home and an environment to nurture, and a three-year contract shows that. When you are given an opportunity like this, you have to take it.

“Every footballer wants to be involved in big games. There is big expectation, but that is a privilege, because if you are not playing under pressure, you are playing for nothing.

“It is great to see the stadium in all its glory - and to know I will be here working under the gaffer and playing for all these fans - and I cannot wait to get started.”

Odusina, who was born in Croydon, began his career at Norwich after coming through the academy.

He lifted the 2019 FA Trophy at Wembley while on loan at AFC Fylde before winning promotion back to the EFL with Hartlepool last year.

Timi is another player we have retained a lot of interest in since the very start of the summer,” said City boss Mark Hughes.

“He is a commanding, physical centre-half who is not only passionate about defending his goal, but also very talented with the ball at his feet.

“At just 22, he is another player we have brought in on a long-term deal, who fits in with the culture and style of play we want to implement here and remains integral to our plans for the coming months and years.”

Odusina will train with his new teammates for the first time tomorrow.