Hull City have completed the signing of Nigerian international defender Semi Ajayi after he left West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season.
Ajayi has penned a two-year contract at the MKM Stadium with a club option of a third and arrives on a free transfer to add defensive cover and vast experience to Sergej Jakirovic’s squad ahead of the new campaign.
The 31-year-old has clocked up 200 appearances in the Championship over an extensive career, but City will hope he has shaken off his recent injury problems, having struggled last term with hamstring troubles.
Those difficulties saw him restricted to just 14 starts for the Baggies. Just three appearances came after suffering his problem at the beginning of November, which also saw him ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations. He did return for the final game of the season to say goodbye to The Hawthorns faithful.
That 5-3 hammering of Luton Town proved crucial for City, with Albion’s success relegating the Hatters and keeping the Tigers in the division. An experienced performer, Ajayi has played 43 times for his country and has clocked up 325 appearances across the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
Speaking about the deal, Ajayi said: Ajayi said: “I’m really excited. I spoke to the sporting director (Jared Dublin) and head of recruitment (Martin Hodge), and they sold me on the vision of the club and the plans for this season.
“The club wants to challenge at the top end of the league and that’s where I see myself challenging. When I heard the vision, I couldn’t wait to get involved in the project. I feel I can bring Championship know-how, experience and leadership. I am comfortable on the ball, good in the air and my pace is an asset Jared and Martin spoke highly of.
“We all know how tough the Championship is and I can’t wait to bring some of my experience to the group. I had a really good six years at West Brom but it’s exciting to have a new challenge now. I’m coming in with a lot of hunger to prove myself again and do as well as I can as a Hull City player.”
Born in South East London, Ajayi came through the ranks at Charlton Athletic before getting a big move to Arsenal and was on the bench for the Gunners against City in the 2014/15 campaign against the Tigers but never made a senior first team appearance and joined Cardiff City after an initial loan spell was turned permanent.
Loan spells at AFC Wimbledon, Crewe Alexandra and Rotherham United followed, but it was with the Millers where he really set down roots, playing 108 times, scoring 15 goals, before he joined Albion in 2019. His first top-flight goal for the Baggies came in a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool.
The experienced campaigner played 177 times for Albion, with three assists and 13 goals, and becomes City’s third signing of the summer so far.
City have already added highly-rated Moroccan midfielder Reda Laalaoui and experienced back-up goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, with talks ongoing with a number of other potential new recruits.
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