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>","A3B3C821F4815DD2":"18381","05B90AE4F21571952008D48326AE77E3":"999","80071F80C4550E7F":"180cm","519F480A5D95AABEE231AFCBBAB20A94":"","AA81248D0821D00F0BA9BCB533E2881F":"Bradford AFC","1CD1A53514962B6A":"1","F849A024F3C8AF1B2C4A709B4C92BB0F":"2014-9-11","229187823D238BA5":"615","e_index":3};