Hull City will welcome back goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi this summer and immediately face a big transfer decision over his future after his failed loan spell in Germany.
Racioppi was a summer signing 12 months ago when the Tigers brought him from Young Boys in Switzerland, but he did not make a single Championship appearance. His sole outing for the club came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday when he endured a night to forget.
After a frustrating start to the season in England, the 26-year-old joined FC Koln in 2. Bundesliga on loan with a view to a permanent move.
Unfortunately for him, Racioppi didn’t make a single appearance in the league or cup, with his sole outing coming in a 3-1 defeat to SF Lotte in the Regionalliga West, playing for Koln’s reserve team.
Fresh from sealing promotion back to the Bundesliga, they are understood to be unwilling to take up their option on Racioppi. He will therefore return to the MKM Stadium this summer with City facing a conundrum.
After signing the former Swiss Under-21 international last summer, City then added Carl Rushworth to their ranks, joining Ivor Pandur, who arrived last January.
Rushworth was recalled by Brighton and Hove Albion in January after making two appearances, leaving City to finish the season with Pandur and Thimothee Lo-Tutala, who had not played in the Championship before.
Adding a goalkeeper is expected to be on the club’s agenda this summer once the Tigers have appointed a new manager. But with Racioppi under contract for another two years, City must decide whether or not to keep him, loan him out or sell him permanently.