Hull City are closing in on their second summer signing of the Sergej Jakirovic era, with experienced defender Semi Ajayi on the cusp of arriving.
City have been in talks with the Nigerian international since it became apparent he would not be staying at the Tigers’ Championship rivals West Brom, bringing an end to six years in the Black Country.
The Tigers have been keen to add further experience to their defensive ranks and see the 31-year-old as a positive arrival to boost their numbers and add strength in depth.
Ajayi would arrive with the aim of providing competition for Sean McLoughlin, Alfie Jones, John Egan and Charlie Hughes as the Tigers’ four frontline central defenders, and is viewed as a solid signing on a free transfer.
Last term, Ajayi played 15 times in the Championship but was hit by injury and missed both games against the Tigers, though he returned for the final day thrashing of Luton Town as he said goodbye to Albion after 177 appearances, 13 goals and three assists as he clocked up a double century of appearances in the second tier. Unwittingly, he played his part in relegating the Hatters and keeping City in the Championship.
A regular for Albion in previous seasons, a hamstring injury picked up in November last term saw him sidelined for much of the campaign and ruled him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The London-born performer, who came through the ranks at Arsenal, has 200 Championship games under his belt, 33 in the Premier League, and 43 for his country.
His imminent arrival follows on from young midfielder Reda Laalaoui, and it’s hoped there could be further movement next week ahead of the start of pre-season at the beginning of next month.
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