Hull City close in on first January signing after deal agreed with Championship rivals

Hull City are edging ever closer to completing their first piece of business in the January transfer window, with goalkeeper Seny Dieng set to become a Tigers player after an agreement was reached with Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

The 31-year-old shot-stopper is expected to join City on a permanent basis, having agreed personal terms on an initial 18-month contract at the MKM Stadium. Hull have successfully negotiated Dieng’s release from Middlesbrough, clearing the way for the experienced goalkeeper to make the switch across the Championship as the Tigers look to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.

Barring any late complications, the move is anticipated to be finalised in time for Hull’s FA Cup third-round clash against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, which takes place at the MKM Stadium. Those close to the situation believe the paperwork is now largely complete, with only the final formalities remaining.

Hull Live understands that the EFL has already given its approval for Dieng’s transfer following discussions earlier this week. As things stand, Hull City will not be required to offload any players from their current squad to make room for the goalkeeper, despite him arriving from one of their promotion rivals. That clarity has allowed City to push ahead with the deal swiftly and decisively.

Dieng brings with him a wealth of Championship experience. The Swiss-born former Senegal international has made 168 appearances in England’s second tier, establishing himself as a reliable and consistent presence between the posts. A significant portion of that experience came during his time at Queens Park Rangers, where he played 121 matches and kept 30 clean sheets, earning a reputation as one of the division’s more dependable goalkeepers.

His most recent stint at Middlesbrough saw him feature 52 times for the Teesside club, although his involvement dwindled as circumstances changed. Dieng has not appeared for Boro since December 2024, when he faced Leeds United in what proved to be his final outing in a Middlesbrough shirt. Since then, his opportunities have been limited, with Sol Brynn emerging as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Compounding his difficulties, Dieng suffered an Achilles injury that disrupted his momentum and effectively ended hopes of a move away from the Riverside Stadium during the summer transfer window. That setback stalled his career progression at a time when he was already slipping down the pecking order, leaving him on the fringes of the squad for much of the current campaign.

However, Middlesbrough’s own squad management needs have now opened the door for his exit. With Boro eager to free up space and streamline their options, they have sanctioned Dieng’s permanent departure, allowing Hull City to act decisively and secure a goalkeeper they believe can add immediate value.

At Hull, Dieng is expected to provide strong competition for current number one Ivor Pandur, rather than immediately displacing him. Pandur has established himself as the Tigers’ first-choice goalkeeper, and there is no indication that City are planning to move the Croatian on before the transfer window closes on February 2 at 7pm.

Instead, the club view Dieng’s arrival as a way to bolster depth and raise standards within the squad, particularly in a position where experience and reliability are crucial. Having two proven goalkeepers competing for the same spot is seen as a positive step as Hull push on with their ambitions for the remainder of the season.

Head coach Sergej Jakirovic has previously spoken about the importance of experience in key areas of the pitch and highlighted Dieng’s credentials when asked about interest in the goalkeeper. While reaffirming Pandur’s status as the current first choice, Jakirovic acknowledged that Dieng’s background in the Championship could prove invaluable.

“Ivor is number one right now, but Seny is a good goalkeeper who has a lot of experience in this league, which is very, very important,” Jakirovic explained when addressing the situation.

With the deal nearing completion, Dieng’s signing looks set to be Hull City’s opening move of the January window. It signals an intent to strengthen smartly rather than dramatically, adding proven quality and competition as the Tigers prepare for a demanding second half of the campaign across league and cup competitions.