Alex Bruce, the son of Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce, has been released by Hull – and supporters of the West Midlands club are already joining the dots.
The centre-back has been a favourite of his father, who has signed him for the Tigers and during his time in charge of Birmingham.
Hull confirmed on their official Twitter account on Wednesday that Bruce is being released at the end of his contract on Humberside, which has led to Villa fans speculating about their manager once again calling upon his son.
? | Alex Bruce heads a list of players who will leave @HullCity once their contracts expire at the end of June https://t.co/GpE0NYf4E0 pic.twitter.com/9WpdRPmGut
— Hull City (@HullCity) May 24, 2017
The 32-year-old has been deemed surplus at the KCOM Stadium this term mainly due to a serious Achilles injury.
He was sent out on loan to Wigan in the winter, but only made two appearances for the Championship side off the bench.
The three-times Northern Ireland international became a main feature in Steve Bruce’s time at Hull and has over 100 appearances to his name in all competitions for them.
However it seems the Aston Villa fans seem it all to be a bit of a joke that the father-son partnership may be forged once more at Villa Park.
Here is a selection of their hilarious tweets:
@Mtthwcwn Has Alex Bruce signed 100% for #AVFC
— Mark Dennis (@bandit1127) May 24, 2017
Welcome to Villa Park #avfc
— Gary Cos 67 ?????????? (@B31villa) May 24, 2017
@AlexBruce84 that was very unprofessional of them. Distasteful. Come to the Villa it doesn't happen here ? #AVFC
— Kat 1874 ? ?? (@Boxy_83) May 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/Rick_avfc/status/867346440301027335
Welcome Alex Bruce #AVFC
— M (@Mtthwcwn) May 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/golfing_twit/status/866193918769197056
Wish we'd stop getting linked with Alex Bruce :/ #AVFC
— Anthony Bishop (@ATB_Brummy) May 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/TomFlannery92/status/867364263672901632
https://twitter.com/JoeHarr26avfc/status/867354095782383616
Bruce’s career has seen him play for Ipswich, Leeds, Oldham and Birmingham after beginning his development in the academy at Manchester United.