2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season

2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season

The 2025–26 season is the 122nd season in the history of Hull City Association Football Club and their fifth consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.

Season diary

May

On 15 May 2025, following the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, head coach Rubén Sellés was dismissed from his role. His coaching team, consisting of James Oliver-Pearce and Tobias Loveland, were also dismissed. On 17 May, Hull announced their retained list. Left-back Brandon Fleming was the headline departure, leaving the club after 16 years. Wingers Nordin Amrabat and Doğukan Sinik also left, among others. On 21 May, Martin Hodge was announced as the club's new Head of Recruitment. The following week, on 29 May, the head coach of the U18s, David Meyler, left his role at the club after Cork City signed him as their new assistant manager.

June

On 11 June, Sellés' replacement was unveiled when Sergej Jakirović was appointed as the new head coach, signing a two-year deal. He was joined by his own coaching staff, consisting of Marko Salatović, Marin Ivančić, and Anđelo Roguljić. Following Jakirović's arrival, Moroccan midfielder Reda Laalaoui became the club's first official signing of the summer window, signing from FUS Rabat for £400,000 on a four-year deal. Experienced duo Dillon Phillips and Semi Ajayi then agreed Bosman deals with the Tigers, amidst a flurry of outgoings.

Firstly, Xavier Simons permanently moved to Bolton Wanderers, whilst Thimothée Lo-Tutala was loaned back to Doncaster Rovers for a second time, having previously been there in the second half of the 2023–24 season. On 19 June, João Pedro left the club by mutual consent. This news came just over a month after he had agreed a new contract with Hull. Elsewhere, ex-academy graduate Andy Smith moved to League Two side Gillingham after 14 years with the Tigers, before Anthony Racioppi returned to his native Switzerland by signing for Sion. The fixtures for the upcoming season were then released on 26 June, with Hull drawn away to Coventry City on the opening day and at home to Norwich City on the final day.

July

On 2 July, Dean Holden was announced as an additional assistant head coach to support Jakirović and his team. As a result, Andy Dawson swapped his position as a first team coach for a new role as Head of Player Development. On 4 July, Hull were hit with a fee-restricting transfer embargo from the EFL, set to last three transfer windows. The embargo was reportedly placed due to late payments to Aston Villa the previous season, over the loan of Louie Barry. The club immediately reacted by stating their intent to appeal the decision. More news surfaced on 7 July, when it came to light that a similar issue with payments to Manchester City over the loan of Fin Burns had led to a further embargo, although it had already been lifted by the time the press were notified. Despite the worrying headlines, owner Acun Ilıcalı remained calm when questioned for his opinion and reassured supporters that the situation was simply "a misunderstanding". As a result of the initial embargo, the recent signings of Gustavo Puerta and Reda Laalaoui were put in jeopardy, with the club unable to register either player with the EFL.

Whilst awaiting to have their appeal heard, the Tigers began acting in accordance with their new fee restriction, which stopped them from paying any form of transfer fee for a new player. By this time, a second wave of departures had begun, with Matty Jacob loaned to Reading for the season and Marvin Mehlem returning to Germany on a permanent basis with Arminia Bielefeld. Towards the end of the month, two of Hull's longest-serving players left the club. On 19 July, after six years with the Tigers, versatile defender Sean McLoughlin moved to fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers for £500,000. Then, on 26 July, vice-captain Alfie Jones headed to Middlesbrough for a £3,000,000 fee, following half a decade in black and amber. Young centre-back Charlie Hughes was in turn promoted to replace Jones as deputy to captain Lewie Coyle. That week also saw Abdülkadir Ömür and Mason Burstow go out on season-long loans, to Antalyaspor and Bolton Wanderers respectively. Then, over three weeks after the news broke, the first new face since the fee restriction arrived. Having seen out his contract with Sheffield Wednesday, 26-year-old Akin Famewo penned a two-year deal with the Tigers on 29 July. Furthermore, two important loans were secured prior to the start of August. England U19 winger Joel Ndala, as well as former Young Lion John Lundstram both made temporary switches to Hull for the campaign.

August

Player of the Month: Joe Gelhardt Goal of the Month: Oli McBurnie (v Oxford United)

Although there was still no update on the fee restriction, transfer business continued throughout the run-up to the start of the new season. On 1 August, former Turkey youth international Enis Destan joined for free from Trabzonspor, signing a three-year deal. Then, following just one season with Hull, midfielder Steven Alzate left the club for MLS outfit Atlanta United, moving for a fee of £1,750,000. It had taken most of the summer to find a replacement for João Pedro, but on 6 August the Tigers acquired former Sheffield United target man Oli McBurnie, shortly after he had terminated his contract with Spanish side Las Palmas. The next day, goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright was loaned out to Hartlepool United for the season.

Prior to kick-off on opening day away at Coventry City, the club announced the return of Joe Gelhardt for his second spell on loan from Leeds United. His redebut in black and amber came that afternoon as a substitute at the CBS Arena. The Tigers went on to achieve a point in Jakirović's first competitive fixture in charge of Hull, having played out a goalless draw with their hosts. Three days later, they drew again, although eventually lost via penalty shoot-out, after a thrilling 3–3 battle with Wrexham in the EFL Cup. Hull's first goal of the season was scored by McBurnie, with the English-born Scotsman finding the net on 36 minutes to level the tie after going 1–0 down at the Racecourse Ground. On 15 August, the squad strengthened yet further with the additions of winger David Akintola and left-back Brandon Williams. It was the first time Williams had been registered at a club since his release from Manchester United in 2024 and, more recently, his suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving only three months earlier. The opening home fixture of the campaign soon followed on 17 August, as the Tigers secured a late 3–2 victory over Oxford United, thanks to goals from Gelhardt and Matt Crooks, plus a stoppage-time winner from McBurnie.

News on the outcome of Hull's fee restriction appeal finally broke on 19 August. The EFL and their Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) made public that the restriction had been reduced from three transfer windows to just two. However, they also announced that the third window had only been suspended, meaning that if the club made any further financial violation before 1 July 2026, the third window would be reinstated. The result of the decision left Hull stuck being able to only sign free agents and bring in loans for the remainder of the campaign. As the month drew to a close, the issues off the pitch were reflected in performances on it, as the Tigers suffered heavy defeats in consecutive league fixtures against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City. The only positive news to come out of the two losses was the welcome return of Mohamed Belloumi, who had just recovered from an ACL injury he had been sidelined with since November 2024.

September

Player of the Month: Oli McBurnie Goal of the Month: John Lundstram (v Southampton)

At 19:00 on 1 September, the summer transfer window shut. Prior to the deadline, Abu Kamara was loaned out to pre-season opponents Getafe, in turn allowing for Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amir Hadžiahmetović to arrive on a season-long loan from Beşiktaş. Hull's final signing of the window was Darko Gyabi, who signed a three-year contract having been allowed to leave Leeds United on a free transfer. Finally, despite the club making no official announcement, there was now confirmation that the transfer of Gustavo Puerta had been annulled, after the Colombian moved from his former team Bayer Leverkusen to Segunda División side Racing de Santander. Similarly, it came to light that the transfer of Reda Laalaoui had met the same fate, when he was unveiled at Belgian club Westerlo on 8 September. The next day, Hull announced that £15 million of their shareholder loan had been converted into equity in order to help strengthen the club's finances.

Following the international break, the Tigers returned to league action on 13 September. Away at Swansea City, goals from McBurnie and John Egan were required to earn a hard-fought point in South Wales, after Hull had gone 2–0 down inside 40 minutes. Jakirović's side would have to wait only another week for their second win of the season, beating recently relegated Southampton 3–1 at the MKM. Momentum was then lost in an uninspiring performance away at Watford, which in turn bled into a difficult evening at home to Preston North End, notable for an Ivor Pandur blunder and the long-awaited return of Liam Millar from injury. The Tigers sat 18th by the end of the month.

October

Player of the Month: Joe Gelhardt Goal of the Month: Liam Millar (v Leicester City)

Pandur soon recovered his form in remarkable fashion on 4 October, saving a late penalty from Harrison Burrows to secure an important 1–0 win over Sheffield United ahead of the next international break. On 10 October, ex-Blade McBurnie was named as the EFL Championship Player of the Month for September. Meanwhile the following week, another former Blades' player, this time midfielder Lundstram, was ruled out for six weeks with a calf injury he had sustained against his old club. On 18 October, league play resumed. In an ill-tempered affair at St Andrew's, Hull ran out 3–2 winners against Birmingham City to claim their first away victory of the campaign, coincidentally also ending the hosts' run of 29 home games unbeaten. The match was littered with flashpoints, with the most prominent of these coming towards the end of the first half when a touchline brawl broke out between both teams' coaching staff and players. Birmingham were later fined £115,000, whereas Hull were only fined £25,000. A 2–1 win at the MKM over another recently relegated side in Leicester City took the Tigers as high as 7th. The month was then rounded out with a solid 1–1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic.

November

Player of the Month: Joe Gelhardt Goal of the Month: Joe Gelhardt (v Portsmouth)

Hull started November by extending their unbeaten run to six games, scraping a 2–0 win away at Norwich City thanks to goals from Gelhardt and Gyabi. However, just three days later they came unstuck, falling at the hands of Derby County in a 2–1 loss at Pride Park. Despite this, it did not take long for Jakirović's men to return to winning ways. On 8 November, the Tigers overcame Portsmouth with a 3–2 victory, highlighted by a superb winner from Gelhardt which later won the club's Goal of the Month award. As the final international break of 2025 approached, goalkeeper Pandur received his first senior call-up from Croatia for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Montenegro. During the break, Hull defender Ajayi missed the crucial kick in a penalty shoot-out against the DR Congo to cost Nigeria a place at the World Cup.

When domestic action eventually resumed at the end of the month, the Tigers lost back-to-back matches. A 3–2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers was soon accompanied by a 2–0 home loss to Ipswich Town, with ex-Hull loanee Chuba Akpom scoring in the latter. In the final fixture of November, an important 2–1 win away to Stoke City brought Hull back into the play-off mix, although tensions spiralled out of control at full-time. With the game decided late on through a Gelhardt winner, celebrations from Lundstram after the final whistle riled up the home supporters as well as some of the Stoke players, resulting in a brawl very similar to the one at Birmingham a month prior. The hosts were later fined £25,000, whilst Hull suffered a heavier payment of £50,000.

December

Player of the Month: Regan Slater Goal of the Month: Mohamed Belloumi (v Sheffield Wednesday)

The Tigers were then met with a gruelling final month of 2025, with six games set to be contested before the new year. The first of these fixtures came on 5 December at home to high-flying Middlesbrough. The visitors reflected their position in the table with an immaculate first half performance, leaving Hull down 4–0 at the break. Later, the hosts' blushes were somewhat spared when Joe Gelhardt made it 4–1 from the penalty spot just after the hour mark, but no more goals came as Hull suffered their first thrashing since Blackburn won 3–0 against them at the end of August. Coincidentally, on 8 December, the Tigers were drawn at home to Blackburn in the third round of the FA Cup, with the fixture set to be played on 11 January 2026.

Five days after the Boro match, Hull beat Wrexham 2–0 at the MKM, before an away win over Millwall and another home victory, this time against West Bromwich Albion. On Christmas Eve, it was announced that the club's accounts were showing underlying losses of £41,700,000. To match the negative tone of the news, the Tigers afforded themselves a 2–2 slip-up away at relegation-bound Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day. However, they quickly returned to form with a 1–0 win on 29 December. That day, they rewrote the script against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, completing a defensive masterclass largely thanks to 19-year-old defender Cathal McCarthy.

January

On 2 January 2026, Matty Jacob was recalled from his loan spell at Reading. and John Egan triggered an appearance-related clause in his contract that will see him stay at Hull until the summer of 2027. On 4 January, James Debayo signed an 18-month contract with the club on a free transfer from Leeds United. On 8 January, Harry Vaughan Joined Bohemians on loan for the remainder of the season. On 9 January, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming was recalled from his loan at Scunthorpe United and moved on loan for the remainder of the season to Grimsby Town. On 16 January, Ed Devine joined Guiseley on a month-long loan spell. On 19 January, Yū Hirakawa joined the club on loan from Bristol City for the remainder of the season. On 22 January, Kasey Palmer joined Luton Town on loan for the remainder of the season. On 23 January, Kieran Dowell signed permanently for Hull from Rangers on an 18-month deal. On 28 January, Paddy McNair signed from San Diego FC on an 18-month contract with the club. On 30 January, Toby Collyer joined on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season, and Lewis Koumas joined from Liverpool again on loan until the end of the season. On 30 January, Enis Destan moved on loan to Westerlo.

February

On 2 February 2026, transfer deadline day, Joel Ndala was recalled by Manchester City. On 3 February, Brandon Williams left the club by mutual consent. On 5 February, goalkeeper Khiani Shombe signed an 18-month contract with the Academy arriving on a free transfer from Southampton. On 5 February, Hugh Parker joined Carlisle United on a month-long loan spell. On 9 February, James Furlong moved to Maribor for an undisclosed fee. On 11 February, captain Lewie Coyle signed a new long-term contract keeping him at the club until 2029.

Coaching staff

2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season

Position	Name
Head Coach	Sergej Jakirović
Assistant Head Coach	Dean Holden
Assistant Head Coach	Marko Salatović
Fitness Coach	Marin Ivančić
Goalkeeping Coach	Erbil Bozkurt
Head of Analysis	Anđelo Roguljić
Head of Player Development	Andy Dawson

Squad

2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season

<table><thead><tr><th>#</th><th>Name</th><th>Position</th><th>Nationality</th><th>Place of birth</th><th>Date of birth (age)</th><th>Previous club</th><th>Date signed</th><th>Fee</th><th>Contract end</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Goalkeepers</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Ivor Pandur</td><td>GK</td><td></td><td>Rijeka</td><td>25 March 2000 (age 25)</td><td>Fortuna Sittard</td><td>20 January 2024</td><td>€2,000,000</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Dillon Phillips</td><td>GK</td><td></td><td>Hornchurch</td><td>11 June 1995 (age 30)</td><td>Rotherham United</td><td>1 July 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>Defenders</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Lewie Coyle (c)</td><td>RB</td><td></td><td>Hull</td><td>15 October 1995 (age 29)</td><td>Fleetwood Town</td><td>7 August 2020</td><td>£350,000</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Ryan Giles</td><td>LB</td><td></td><td>Telford</td><td>26 January 2000 (age 25)</td><td>Luton Town</td><td>27 June 2024</td><td>£4,000,000</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Charlie Hughes (vc)</td><td>CB</td><td></td><td>Golborne</td><td>16 October 2003 (age 21)</td><td>Wigan Athletic</td><td>16 August 2024</td><td>£3,500,000</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Semi Ajayi</td><td>CB</td><td></td><td>Crayford</td><td>9 November 1993 (age 31)</td><td>West Bromwich Albion</td><td>1 July 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>John Egan</td><td>CB</td><td></td><td>Cork</td><td>20 October 1992 (age 32)</td><td>Burnley</td><td>3 February 2025</td><td>£250,000</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Matty Jacob</td><td>LB</td><td></td><td>Barnsley</td><td>3 June 2001 (age 24)</td><td>Academy</td><td>17 May 2019</td><td>–</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Cody Drameh</td><td>RB</td><td></td><td>Dulwich</td><td>8 December 2001 (age 23)</td><td>Leeds United</td><td>23 July 2024</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Akin Famewo</td><td>CB</td><td></td><td>Lewisham</td><td>9 November 1998 (age 26)</td><td>Sheffield Wednesday</td><td>29 July 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>James Furlong</td><td>LB</td><td></td><td>Dublin</td><td>7 June 2002 (age 23)</td><td>Brighton & Hove Albion</td><td>1 September 2023</td><td>Undisclosed</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>Brandon Williams</td><td>LB</td><td></td><td>Manchester</td><td>3 September 2000 (age 24)</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>15 August 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Midfielders</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>John Lundstram</td><td>DM</td><td></td><td>Liverpool</td><td>18 February 1994 (age 31)</td><td>Trabzonspor</td><td>31 July 2025</td><td>Loan</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Eliot Matazo</td><td>DM</td><td></td><td>Woluwe-Saint-Lambert</td><td>15 February 2002 (age 23)</td><td>Monaco</td><td>24 January 2025</td><td>€2,000,000</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Harry Vaughan</td><td>AM</td><td></td><td>Trafford</td><td>6 April 2004 (age 21)</td><td>Oldham Athletic</td><td>31 January 2023</td><td>Youth Fee</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Amir Hadžiahmetović</td><td>DM</td><td></td><td>Nexø</td><td>8 March 1997 (age 28)</td><td>Beşiktaş</td><td>1 September 2025</td><td>Loan</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Darko Gyabi</td><td>CM</td><td></td><td>Catford</td><td>18 February 2004 (age 21)</td><td>Leeds United</td><td>1 September 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Matt Crooks</td><td>CM</td><td></td><td>Leeds</td><td>20 January 1994 (age 31)</td><td>Real Salt Lake</td><td>10 January 2025</td><td>£1,500,000</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Regan Slater</td><td>CM</td><td></td><td>Gleadless</td><td>11 September 1999 (age 25)</td><td>Sheffield United</td><td>27 January 2022</td><td>£50,000</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>45</td><td>Kasey Palmer</td><td>AM</td><td></td><td>Lewisham</td><td>9 November 1996 (age 28)</td><td>Coventry City</td><td>30 August 2024</td><td>£1,250,000</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>Forwards</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Liam Millar</td><td>LW</td><td></td><td>Toronto</td><td>27 September 1999 (age 25)</td><td>Basel</td><td>9 August 2024</td><td>€3,500,000</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Oli McBurnie</td><td>CF</td><td></td><td>Leeds</td><td>4 June 1996 (age 29)</td><td>Las Palmas</td><td>6 August 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Mohamed Belloumi</td><td>RW</td><td></td><td>Mascara</td><td>1 June 2002 (age 23)</td><td>Farense</td><td>30 August 2024</td><td>€5,000,000</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>David Akintola</td><td>RW</td><td></td><td>Oyo</td><td>13 January 1996 (age 29)</td><td>Çaykur Rizespor</td><td>15 August 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Joel Ndala</td><td>LW</td><td></td><td>Manchester</td><td>31 May 2006 (age 19)</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>29 July 2025</td><td>Loan</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Joe Gelhardt</td><td>CF</td><td></td><td>Liverpool</td><td>4 May 2002 (age 23)</td><td>Leeds United</td><td>9 August 2025</td><td>Loan</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>22</td><td>Kyle Joseph</td><td>CF</td><td></td><td>Chipping Barnet</td><td>10 September 2001 (age 23)</td><td>Blackpool</td><td>20 January 2025</td><td>£2,500,000</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>39</td><td>Enis Destan</td><td>CF</td><td></td><td>Konak</td><td>15 June 2002 (age 23)</td><td>Trabzonspor</td><td>1 August 2025</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>Out on loan</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Abu Kamara</td><td>RW</td><td></td><td>Lambeth</td><td>21 July 2003 (age 21)</td><td>Norwich City</td><td>30 August 2024</td><td>£4,500,000</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>32</td><td>Thimothée Lo-Tutala</td><td>GK</td><td></td><td>Gonesse</td><td>13 February 2003 (age 22)</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>6 April 2023</td><td>Free</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>34</td><td>Harvey Cartwright</td><td>GK</td><td></td><td>Grimsby</td><td>9 May 2002 (age 23)</td><td>Academy</td><td>1 July 2019</td><td>–</td><td>30 June 2026</td></tr><tr><td>–</td><td>Mason Burstow</td><td>CF</td><td></td><td>Greenwich</td><td>4 August 2003 (age 21)</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>16 August 2024</td><td>£2,000,000</td><td>30 June 2028</td></tr><tr><td>–</td><td>Abdülkadir Ömür</td><td>AM</td><td></td><td>Trabzon</td><td>25 June 1999 (age 26)</td><td>Trabzonspor</td><td>1 February 2024</td><td>€2,500,000</td><td>30 June 2027</td></tr></tbody></table>

Transfers and contracts

Transfers in

Date	Pos.	Player	From	Fee	Ref.
19 April 2025	CM	Gustavo Puerta	Bayer Leverkusen	£3,200,000
12 June 2025	CM	Reda Laalaoui	FUS Rabat	£400,000
16 June 2025	GK	Dillon Phillips	Rotherham United	Free
19 June 2025	CB	Semi Ajayi	West Bromwich Albion	Free
29 July 2025	CB	Akin Famewo	Sheffield Wednesday	Free
31 July 2025	CF	Sammy Henia-Kamau	Swansea City	Free
1 August 2025	CF	Enis Destan	Trabzonspor	Free
6 August 2025	CF	Oli McBurnie	Las Palmas	Free
15 August 2025	RW	David Akintola	Çaykur Rizespor	Free
15 August 2025	LB	Brandon Williams	Manchester United	Free
1 September 2025	CM	Darko Gyabi	Leeds United	Free
11 September 2025	RW	João Mendes	Burnley	Free
4 January 2026	CB	James Debayo	Leeds United	Free
23 January 2026	FW	Kieran Dowell	Rangers	Undisclosed
28 January 2026	CB	Paddy McNair	San Diego FC	Undisclosed
5 February 2026	GK	Khiani Shombe	Southampton	Free

Expenditure: ≈ £3,600,000 (all fees converted into GBP)

Transfers out

Date	Pos.	Player	To	Fee	Ref.
12 June 2025	DM	Xavier Simons	Bolton Wanderers	£300,000
25 June 2025	GK	Anthony Racioppi	Sion	Undisclosed
25 June 2025	CB	Andy Smith	Gillingham	Undisclosed
8 July 2025	AM	Marvin Mehlem	Arminia Bielefeld	Undisclosed
19 July 2025	CB	Sean McLoughlin	Blackburn Rovers	£500,000
25 July 2025	CB	Alfie Jones	Middlesbrough	£3,000,000
4 August 2025	CM	Steven Alzate	Atlanta United	£1,750,000
9 February 2026	LB	James Furlong	Maribor	Undisclosed
22 February 2026	LB	Zane Myers	Bohemian	Free Transfer

Income: ≈ £5,550,000 (all fees converted into GBP)

Loans in

Date	Pos.	Player	From	Date until	Ref.
29 July 2025	LW	Joel Ndala	Manchester City	2 February 2026
31 July 2025	CM	John Lundstram	Trabzonspor	30 June 2026
9 August 2025	CF	Joe Gelhardt	Leeds United	30 June 2026
1 September 2025	DM	Amir Hadžiahmetović	Beşiktaş	30 June 2026
19 January 2026	FW	Yū Hirakawa	Bristol City	30 June 2026
30 January 2026	MF	Toby Collyer	Manchester United	30 June 2026
30 January 2026	MF	Lewis Koumas	Liverpool	30 June 2026

Loans out

Date	Pos.	Player	To	Date until	Ref.
16 June 2025	GK	Thimothée Lo-Tutala	Doncaster Rovers	31 May 2026
4 July 2025	LB	Matty Jacob	Reading	2 January 2026
8 July 2025	CM	Rocco Coyle	Boston United	14 November 2025
26 July 2025	CAM	Abdülkadir Ömür	Antalyaspor	31 May 2026
28 July 2025	CF	Mason Burstow	Bolton Wanderers	31 May 2026
7 August 2025	GK	Harvey Cartwright	Hartlepool United	3 October 2025
1 September 2025	RW	Abu Kamara	Getafe	31 May 2026
16 September 2025	CF	Tyrell Sellars-Fleming	Scunthorpe United	9 January 2026
19 September 2025	LB	Zane Myers	Scarborough Athletic	18 October 2025
27 September 2025	CB	Harry Revill	Salisbury	25 October 2025
7 November 2025	CF	George Akinniranye	Beverley Town	6 December 2025
CF	Zac Jagielka	Stocksbridge Park Steels
14 November 2025	CM	Rocco Coyle	Scarborough Athletic	13 December 2025
15 November 2025	CAM	Pharrell Brown	Hartlepool United
22 November 2025	RB	Noah Wadsworth	Scarborough Athletic	20 December 2025
13 December 2025	CF	Albert Matique	Beverley Town	10 January 2026
CB	Harry Revill	Cray Wanderers
20 December 2025	CB	Bobby Moore	Guiseley	17 January 2026
8 January 2026	CAM	Harry Vaughan	Bohemians	30 June 2026
9 January 2026	CF	Tyrell Sellars-Fleming	Grimsby Town	31 May 2026
16 January 2026	LB	Ed Devine	Guiseley	14 February 2026
22 January 2026	CAM	Kasey Palmer	Luton Town	31 May 2026
23 January 2026	CF	Jack Topley	Dorchester Town	Work Experience
30 January 2026	CF	Enis Destan	Westerlo	31 May 2026
5 February 2026	CF	Hugh Parker	Carlisle United	31 May 2026
12 February 2026	CB	Calvin Okike	Hartlepool United	13 April 2026
7 March 2026	CAM	Aidon Shehu	Scarborough Athletic	6 April 2026

Released / Out of contract

Date	Pos.	Player	Subsequent club	Join date	Ref.
17 May 2025	RW	Nordin Amrabat	Wydad Casablanca	1 June 2025
19 June 2025	CF	João Pedro	Atlético San Luis	24 June 2025
30 June 2025	GK	Owen Foster	Middlesbrough	1 July 2025
30 June 2025	LB	Jake Leake	Oldham Athletic	1 July 2025
30 June 2025	CB	Alfie Taylor	Grimsby Borough	7 July 2025
30 June 2025	CB	Paul Iggulden	Stocksbridge Park Steels	8 July 2025
30 June 2025	CM	Lucas Dawson	Missouri State Bears	10 July 2025
30 June 2025	CM	Callum Jones	Dundee	15 July 2025
30 June 2025	LB	Brandon Fleming	Derry City	17 July 2025
30 June 2025	CB	Jack Leckie	Alfreton Town	24 July 2025
30 June 2025	CM	Cameron Gray	North Florida Ospreys	25 July 2025
30 June 2025	LW	Doğukan Sinik	Antalyaspor	26 July 2025
30 June 2025	CB	Jevon Mills	FC Halifax Town	9 August 2025
30 June 2025	RB	Joe Batty	Boston United	14 August 2025
30 June 2025	CF	Aidan Durkan	Boston United	14 August 2025
30 June 2025	DM	Alfie Perry	Boston United	14 August 2025
30 June 2025	AM	Brandon Harriman-Annous	Berkhamsted	11 September 2025
30 June 2025	CB	Kyle Fanning	Ossett United	18 September 2025
30 June 2025	GK	Shea Callister	Maghull	October 2025
30 June 2025	RW	Jaedyn Chibanga	TBA	TBA
30 June 2025	AM	Sincere Hall	TBA	TBA
30 June 2025	GK	George Wilson	TBA	TBA
3 February 2026	LB	Brandon Williams	TBA	TBA

New contracts

Date	Pos.	Player	End date	Ref.
17 May 2025	CF	João Pedro	30 June 2026
17 September 2025	LB	Zane Myers
RB	Noah Wadsworth
2 January 2026	CB	John Egan	30 June 2027
9 February 2026	CF	Ramell Carter	30 June 2028
CB	Bobby Moore	30 June 2028
CM	Josh Ocaya	30 June 2028
11 February 2026	RB	Lewie Coyle	30 June 2029
7 March 2026	CM	Regan Slater	30 June 2027

Pre-season and friendlies

2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season

On 5 June 2025, Hull announced their first friendlies of pre-season, with games at the end of July against League One side Stockport County and Premier League returners Sunderland. Prior to those matches, pre-season got underway with two unannounced, behind-closed-doors fixtures at the club's training ground. A 2–0 loss to Lincoln City was swiftly followed by a 1–0 win over Humber derby rivals Grimsby Town. In the middle of July, Hull embarked on a pre-season training camp in Turkey. Whilst there, the Tigers stretched their winning streak further with victories against İstanbulspor and Kasımpaşa. Upon their return, they duly beat both Stockport and Sunderland, before playing out a goalless draw with La Liga side Getafe on 2 August.

Competitions

Overall record

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Record
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Championship	9 August 2025		Matchday 1		39	20	6	13	62	57	+5	051.28
FA Cup	11 January 2026	12 February 2026	Third round	Fourth round	2	0	1	1	0	4	−4	000.00
EFL Cup	12 August 2025	12 August 2025	First round	First round	1	0	1	0	3	3	+0	000.00
Total	42	20	8	14	65	64	+1	047.62

EFL Championship

On 26 June 2025, the fixtures for the EFL Championship season were announced. Hull were drawn away at Coventry City on the opening day, and at home to Norwich City on the final day.

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
3	Ipswich Town	38	19	12	7	67	39	+28	69	Qualification for the Championship play-offs
4	Millwall	39	20	9	10	53	44	+9	69
5	Hull City	39	20	6	13	62	57	+5	66
6	Southampton	39	17	12	10	63	48	+15	63
7	Wrexham	39	17	12	10	60	51	+9	63

Results summary

Overall	Home	Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
39	20	6	13	62	57	+5	66	10	3	7	32	32	0	10	3	6	30	25	+5

FA Cup

Hull were drawn at home to Blackburn Rovers in the third round. The match took place on 11 January 2026, at full-time the match remained goalless and went to extra-time. This failed to break the deadlock, with Hull's David Akintola coming closest when he hit the bar. This led to a penalty shoot-out to determine which team would advance to the next round. Dillon Phillips saved the first two Blackburn Rovers attempts by Yūki Ōhashi and Moussa Baradji, Hull's first attempt by Lewie Coyle was saved by Balázs Tóth. The rest of the spot kicks were converted, with Akintola taking the final kick to put Hull through to the next round. This was the first time Hull had progressed to the next round since 2020, the draw for which took place on 12 January. The draw gave Hull a home game against Chelsea under new manager of former Hull manager Liam Rosenior, the match taking place over the weekend of 14–15 February.

EFL Cup

Hull were drawn away at Wrexham in the first round.

Statistics

Appearances

Appearances shown after a "+" indicate player came on during course of the match Players with no appearances are not included on the list; italics indicate a loaned in player

No.	Pos	Nat	Player	Total	Championship	FA Cup	EFL Cup
Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1	GK	CRO	Ivor Pandur	39	0	39	0	0	0	0	0
2	DF	ENG	Lewie Coyle	34	0	30+2	0	2	0	0	0
3	DF	ENG	Ryan Giles	30	0	27+1	0	0+1	0	1	0
4	DF	ENG	Charlie Hughes	37	1	34+1	1	1	0	1	0
5	MF	ENG	John Lundstram	24	1	12+11	1	0	0	1	0
6	DF	NGA	Semi Ajayi	16	1	12+4	1	0	0	0	0
7	FW	CAN	Liam Millar	28	2	16+10	2	2	0	0	0
9	FW	SCO	Oli McBurnie	32	14	25+5	13	1	0	1	1
10	FW	ALG	Mohamed Belloumi	15	1	5+10	1	0	0	0	0
11	FW	NGA	David Akintola	21	1	5+15	1	0+1	0	0	0
12	GK	ENG	Dillon Phillips	3	0	0	0	2	0	1	0
13	FW	JPN	Yū Hirakawa	6	0	2+3	0	1	0	0	0
15	DF	IRL	John Egan	38	2	33+2	2	1+1	0	1	0
16	DF	ENG	Matty Jacob	6	0	1+4	0	0+1	0	0	0
17	FW	ENG	Abu Kamara	3	0	1+1	0	0	0	0+1	0
18	DF	ENG	Cody Drameh	22	0	13+6	0	1+1	0	1	0
20	MF	BIH	Amir Hadžiahmetović	37	0	23+12	0	2	0	0	0
21	FW	ENG	Joe Gelhardt	34	13	29+3	13	0+1	0	1	0
22	FW	SCO	Kyle Joseph	40	8	26+11	8	0+2	0	0+1	0
23	DF	ENG	Akin Famewo	17	1	7+8	1	1	0	0+1	0
24	MF	ENG	Darko Gyabi	21	2	6+14	2	1	0	0	0
25	MF	ENG	Matt Crooks	25	5	21+3	4	0	0	0+1	1
26	FW	ENG	Kieran Dowell	10	1	1+8	1	0+1	0	0	0
27	MF	ENG	Regan Slater	42	2	34+5	2	1+1	0	1	0
33	MF	ENG	Toby Collyer	3	0	0+3	0	0	0	0	0
36	FW	WAL	Lewis Koumas	12	3	4+7	3	1	0	0	0
37	DF	NIR	Paddy McNair	8	0	5+2	0	1	0	0	0
39	FW	TUR	Enis Destan	18	2	4+14	2	0	0	0	0
45	MF	JAM	Kasey Palmer	11	0	3+6	0	1	0	1	0
47	MF	ENG	Nathan Tinsdale	2	0	0+1	0	0	0	1	0
58	DF	IRL	Cathal McCarthy	8	0	1+5	0	1+1	0	0	0
Players who featured but departed the club during the season:
19	FW	ENG	Joel Ndala	19	2	10+7	1	1	0	0+1	1
30	DF	ENG	Brandon Williams	1	0	0+1	0	0	0	0	0

Top goalscorers

Player	Number	Position	Championship	FA Cup	League Cup	Total
Oli McBurnie	9	CF	13	0	1	14
Joe Gelhardt	21	CF	13	0	0	13
Kyle Joseph	22	CF	8	0	0	8
Matt Crooks	25	CM	4	0	1	5
Lewis Koumas	36	MF	3	0	0	3
Enis Destan	39	CF	2	0	0	2
John Egan	15	DF	2	0	0	2
Darko Gyabi	24	CM	2	0	0	2
Liam Millar	7	LW	2	0	0	2
Joel Ndala	19	LW	1	0	1	2
Regan Slater	27	CM	2	0	0	2
Semi Ajayi	6	CB	1	0	0	1
David Akintola	11	RW	1	0	0	1
Mohamed Belloumi	10	RW	1	0	0	1
Kieran Dowell	26	FW	1	0	0	1
Akin Famewo	23	CB	1	0	0	1
Charlie Hughes	4	CB	1	0	0	1
John Lundstram	5	DM	1	0	0	1
Own goals	3	0	0	3
Total	62	0	3	65

Disciplinary record

Player	Number	Position	Championship	FA Cup	League Cup	Total
Charlie Hughes	4	CB	5	1	0	0	1	0	6	1
Matt Crooks	25	CM	12	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
Lewie Coyle	2	RB	10	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
John Lundstram	5	DM	8	0	1	0	1	0	10	0
Oli McBurnie	9	CF	7	0	1	0	0	0	8	0
Regan Slater	27	CM	7	0	1	0	0	0	8	0
John Egan	15	DF	7	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Joe Gelhardt	21	CF	4	0	1	0	1	0	6	0
Ryan Giles	3	LB	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Kyle Joseph	22	CF	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Ivor Pandur	1	GK	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
David Akintola	11	RW	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Enis Destan	39	CF	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Liam Millar	7	LW	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Toby Collyer	33	MF	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Cody Drameh	18	RB	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
Akin Famewo	23	CB	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
Mohamed Belloumi	10	FW	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Kieran Dowell	26	FW	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Amir Hadžiahmetović	20	DM	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Cathal McCarthy	58	CB	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Paddy McNair	37	DF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Joel Ndala	19	LW	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Total	93	1	6	0	3	0	102	1

Kits

2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season

As with the previous season, all of the club's kits for the 2025–26 season would be manufactured by Kappa. On 15 July 2025, the club announced that the home shirt would be a plain amber body with black and amber tiger print sleeves. This would be accompanied by black shorts and amber socks. Three days later, on 18 July, Corendon Airlines extended their shirt sponsorship deal for a further two years. The away kit was then launched on 2 August, a black shirt with amber pinstripes accompanied by amber shorts and black socks. The third kit was launched on 25 September, this was light blue with a floral pattern, with dark blue trim. Shorts and sock would be light blue with dark blue trim.