Hull City seal 18-month deal for former Leeds United defender

Hull City have officially announced the arrival of defender James Debayo, completing the signing several months after his departure from Leeds United. The 20-year-old centre-back returns to Championship football after spending a prolonged period without a club, having left Elland Road following the expiration of his contract.

Debayo came through the ranks at Leeds and was regularly involved around the first-team setup last season. Although he found himself included in matchday squads on a fairly consistent basis, opportunities on the pitch were limited. His lone league appearance in the Championship proved to be the extent of his competitive involvement, despite being viewed internally as a promising young defender.

During the summer, Leeds offered Debayo a new contract in an effort to secure his long-term future at the club. However, the defender opted not to commit to fresh terms, choosing instead to explore alternative opportunities elsewhere. That decision ultimately led to several months on the free agent market as he waited for the right chance to continue his career.

Hull City have now provided that opportunity, confirming that Debayo has agreed an 18-month contract with the Tigers. The deal also includes an option for the club to extend his stay by a further year, offering both parties flexibility as the defender looks to establish himself at senior level.

The move represents a fresh start for Debayo, who will be aiming to kick on after a frustrating spell of limited action. Hull’s recruitment team have moved to strengthen their defensive options with a player who, despite his lack of regular first-team football, has experience of training in a Championship environment and understanding the demands of the division.

For Hull, the signing fits a familiar profile: a young, hungry player with potential to develop further. Having already been exposed to the pace and physicality of the second tier, Debayo arrives with a foundation that could allow him to adapt quickly, particularly if given consistent opportunities.

From Debayo’s perspective, the switch to the MKM Stadium offers the chance to reset and push for regular involvement. After months without competitive football, joining a Championship side mid-season provides a platform to rebuild momentum and demonstrate the qualities that once marked him out as a prospect at Leeds.

The inclusion of an extension clause suggests Hull see long-term value in the deal, while also protecting their interests should Debayo progress as hoped. It allows the club to assess his impact over the coming months before committing further, while giving the defender clear motivation to impress.

Overall, the move brings Debayo back into the Championship picture and gives Hull City added depth in defence. With his future now settled, the focus will shift to integrating into the squad and seizing the opportunity to turn potential into consistent performances at senior level.

Hull City Considering January Move for Highly-Rated Young Player

Hull City are set to make an important call in the coming weeks regarding the short-term future of teenage forward Hugh Parker, as the club considers whether a loan move would best serve his development. With January approaching, the Tigers are expected to explore options that would allow several of their young prospects to gain valuable first-team experience away from the MKM Stadium.

Parker, who joined Hull earlier this year from Irish side University College Dublin (UCD), has quickly made a strong impression within the club’s academy setup. Operating primarily with Conor Sellars’ Under-21 squad, the young striker has delivered eye-catching numbers, scoring nine goals while also providing seven assists since his arrival. His performances have marked him out as one of Hull’s most exciting emerging talents.

That impressive form has not gone unnoticed at senior level. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic has been closely monitoring Parker’s progress and has regularly invited him to train with the first team in recent weeks. Injuries within Hull’s attacking department have further accelerated Parker’s exposure to senior football, creating opportunities that may not otherwise have arrived so quickly.

With Joe Gelhardt and Enis Destan sidelined and Oli McBurnie only recently returning from his own injury setback, Hull found themselves short of attacking options. As a result, Parker was included in the matchday squad for the Tigers’ recent 2-0 victory over Wrexham, taking a place on the substitutes’ bench. While he did not feature in the game, the decision to involve him at Championship level underlined the coaching staff’s belief in his potential.

Jakirovic has since spoken openly about the club’s thinking regarding Parker’s next steps. While the striker remains part of the first-team environment for now, the Hull boss acknowledged that regular minutes could be crucial for his continued development.

“We will see,” Jakirovic said when asked about Parker’s future. “Hugh is with us right now. We are using him, especially when we have problems with the strikers. He’s here, he’s involved, and he’s performing well.”

The head coach also revealed that he has personally watched Parker in action at youth level, suggesting the teenager has already demonstrated the qualities required to succeed higher up the pyramid.

“I watched a few games, so he’s okay,” Jakirovic added, before turning his attention to the possibility of a loan move. “We will see if he needs minutes. It’s maybe better to go and have minutes on loan, especially here in England.”

Hull’s preference for domestic loan moves reflects a wider trend among Championship clubs, who value the ability to closely monitor young players and recall them quickly if needed. Jakirovic highlighted this flexibility as a key advantage, noting that sending Parker out on loan would not necessarily mean losing access to him.

“I like this,” he explained. “You can always pull him back, and this is a good option for us.”

Interest in Parker is understood to be coming from clubs lower down the English Football League, where he could gain consistent senior minutes in a competitive environment. Such a move would offer the teenager the chance to adapt to the physical demands of men’s football while continuing to sharpen his finishing and all-round attacking play.

From Hull’s perspective, the decision will hinge on balancing immediate squad needs with long-term development. Should injuries persist or new issues arise in attack, Parker may remain with the senior squad as a useful option. However, if the Tigers’ forward line stabilizes in January, a temporary move away could provide the striker with invaluable experience.

For Parker himself, the coming weeks represent a crucial phase in his young career. Having already made a strong impression at Under-21 level and earned the trust of the first-team coaching staff, he now stands on the brink of regular senior football. Whether that next step comes at Hull City or elsewhere on loan will soon become clear.

As January approaches, Hull City’s handling of Parker’s situation will be closely watched, both by clubs interested in securing his services and by supporters eager to see one of the club’s brightest young prospects continue his upward trajectory.