Former Hull City star Jacob Greaves says he’s delighted his hometown club secured their Championship safety a little over a week ago, and admits he’s relishing facing the Tigers next season. Greaves, who departed the MKM Stadium for Ipswich Town last summer following their promotion to the Premier League, will be back on his old stomping ground when the two clubs face off in the 2025/26 campaign.
He’ll have to wait until the end of next month to find out when that will be, but for now, the 24-year-old ace has expressed his relief that City managed to secure a dramatic survival on the final day last weekend. The powerful defender could be joined in facing his old club by fellow ex-Tigers in Liam Delap and Jaden Philogene, who are all part of Kieran McKenna’s Portman Road squad, though striker Delap is expected to move on after one season in Suffolk.
City started the final day of a gripping, if not stressful, Championship campaign in the bottom three but their draw at Fratton Park coupled with Luton Town’s heavy defeat at West Brom ensured Ruben Selles’ side staved off the threat of relegation on goal difference.
“Really pleased, it’s good for the city,” Greaves told reporters. “I was watching as much as I could before the Everton game and then when it was time to get into focus I turned it off and focused on what I had at hand.
“It’s a season for them that’s a little bit disappointing with the squad that they’ve got. It’s definitely one that’s good enough to be competing in that league, the play-offs are probably not as strong as they were last season. I’m absolutely delighted they stayed up, next season as well, playing against them will be nice too, rather than being Championship and League One.”
Greaves, who was a hugely popular figure at City, having come through the ranks and followed in the footsteps of his father, Mark, remains a firm advocate for the East Yorkshire location he calls home.
“I’ve not really thought about it that much,” he said of a potential return next term. “With the remainder of the Premier League games, I’m focused on them. I’ll think about it when it actually comes to it, but it’s just another game, I suppose.
“I’ve got nothing but love for that club. I love the place, you ask the boys here and I always big up Hull so much, they say it’s not a great place to live and I’m the one backing the city up. Hopefully I get a nice reception, if I don’t then fair enough but I’m excited to go back.”