Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has pushed back against reports that transfer targets have turned the club down, posting an unusual update to explain their recruitment progress.
The Tigers are returning to the Premier League for the first time in nine years after winning May’s Championship play-off final. So far, they have signed goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers, midfielder Oscar Zambrano from Maribor, and defender Matt Targett following his exit from Newcastle United, as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.
In a social media message, Ilicali said there have been numerous false rumours and that some are using the club’s name for attention. He said the club has been working intensively for two months and expressed confidence they will build a team supporters can be proud of. Without naming specific reports, he shared a progress list: Butland, Zambrano and Targett were ticked off as completed, followed by slots numbered four to 11 marked with national flags and percentages to indicate how close other deals are.
At number four, the Japan flag was shown at 99%. BBC Radio Humberside’s Mike White has reported Hull have agreed a deal to sign free agent midfielder Hidemasa Morita. Flags for Greece and Sweden were marked at 90%, while Australia, Croatia and Portugal were shown at 80%.
Earlier this month, head coach Sergej Jakirovic said a move for Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was close. Ilicali also recently revealed the club has secured a £55m bridging loan to strengthen its finances and support transfer activity.