The fee was considerably lower than the £12m which former club Hill City valued the 26-year-old at last summer.

The reason for the drop in price became clearer following the publication of an alarming set of accounts at Hull last month, and Bruce accepts he got a bargain.

Bruce said: "We were patient. It's out there now in the public domain, we paid £4m for him.

"For me he is arguably the signing of the season for that sort of money.

"At the time Hull were desperate for money and we knew that, so we obviously acted.

"Usually transfers are paid over 12 months, but we paid it one hit. We thought it was going to be worth that."

Bruce has been impressed with Turner since his arrival at the end of the summer transfer window.

But he will miss the big game against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light tomorrow as he serves a one-match ban for reaching five bookings.

Bruce said: "It's part of it. Michael Turner got one booking for Hull and has had four for us, but the amount of challenges he makes, he is going to pick up yellow cards."

Turner was put on standby for England's friendly against Brazil in Qatar last weekend by manager Fabio Capello.

He was ultimately not required but Bruce feels it is only a matter of time before he is called up, possibly in time for the World Cup.

He said: There is always somebody that comes from nowhere to make it.

"I won't be surprised if it is Michael the way he has been playing. He has been terrific, so he will be a big loss this weekend."