Phil Brown's first permanent signing for the Tigers provided a mixture of the past and the future when Nathan agreed a two-and-half-year deal during the January 2007 Transfer Window. <\/P>
Signed for a nominal fee, Nathan is a product of Derby County's academy system and had progressed to the senior ranks during Phil's period in charge at Pride Park.<\/P>
Born in Derby, he made his senior debut at Preston North End at the age of 16 on 1 November 2003 and went on to make a total of ten appearances for the Rams.<\/P>
Following a 12-game loan at Notts County in 2005-06, Nathan had spent this season on loan at League One side Bradford City where he played alongside fellow Tiger Dean Windass.<\/P>
He made a total of 33 appearances for the West Yorkshire Bantams.<\/P>
As a mark of his undoubted potential, Nathan has represented England at all levels from Under-16 to Under-20.<\/P>
It's Nathan's potential and versatility that caught the eye of his former and now current boss, as Phil told : "He's a very intelligent, aggressive and combative midfield player who found himself more of a utility player in the Under 18's and Under 19's because he could play at right-back as well as in the centre or right side of midfield."<\/P> "I like his attitude towards hard work, tackling and his commitment towards the defensive side of the game but he can also play a bit as well.<\/P> "Signing Nathan is a long-term investment to enhance the current stock of the squad in this season's survival campaign but he is also one for the future."<\/P><\/A>","ZBfJfWbXWR0=":"18381","CkR2sZ0PdGZc2Pals0c0Gw==":"","RKlKxE6qwtkIK6CO4FO7gQ==":"\u0e41\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e14\u0e1f\u0e2d\u0e23\u0e4c\u0e14","e_index":5};
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