Winger Kevan Hurst signed for the Blues from Scunthorpe United for what could eventually rise to a club record transfer fee.

The Chesterfield-born player began his career with Sheffield United after coming through the Yorkshire club's youth academy.

He made his debut for the Blades in September 2003, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 defeat to QPR in the League Cup. It would be his only appearance for them that season, later joining League Two side Boston United on-loan for the last two months of the campaign.

After two appearances at the start of the 2004/05 campaign for The Blades, Kevan was allowed to go out on-loan to Stockport County towards the end of the season.

With chances still restricted at Bramall Lane, he spent much of the 2005/06 season on-loan at hometown side Chesterfield in two spells. A third spell at Chesterfield at the start of the 2006/07 season was followed by a loan move One side Scunthorpe United on-loan in February 2007 where Kevan helped the Iron to win the title and win promotion to the Championship.

Sufficiently impressed with his performances during that loan spell, Scunthorpe paid a then club record fee of £200,000 to bring the winger to Glanford Park on a permanent basis. He established himself as a regular in the Championship before injury restricted his performances after Christmas.

With the Iron relegated back to League One, Kevan's appearances were restricted in the first half of the of the season due to injuries but he eventually fought back to hold down a first team place and help the Lincolnshire club back into the Championship through the play-offs as well as finishing runners up in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

His quality performances at Leauge One level were enough to convince Greg Abbott to pay what could be a club record fee, dependent on certain criteria being met, to bring him to Brunton Park in August 2009. He made an instant impact by scoring a stunning goal on his debut in a 2-1 win over Stockport County. He went on to make 44 appearances in all competitions in his first season scoring 5 goals, including one strike in the FA Cup defeat to Everton.

With a good range of passing, a decent shot and the ability to play anywhere across the frontline, Kevan is a player who has proven quality at League One level.

Under contract until the summer of 2011.