A second player has departed Hull City ahead of the start of pre-season training on Monday as Anthony Racioppi’s disappointing spell in England has finally come to an end.
Racioppi has returned to Switzerland and penned a permanent deal with FC Sion in the Swiss Super League, just 12 months after his arrival in East Yorkshire.
Geneva-born Racioppi joined the Tigers last summer from Young Boys and agreed a three-year deal plus a 12-month option, but played just once in the first team. That game was forgettable for both him and City, with an error costing a goal in a 2-1 first-round defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
He never played a Championship game and was loaned out to FC Koln in Germany’s second division in January. Though his side won promotion back to the Bundesliga, he didn’t play a single minute and was restricted to just one reserve team outing.
Koln had the option of making that move permanent this summer, but opted against it. Instead, he will head back to the Swiss Super League, with City recouping some of the fee they paid 12 months ago. Sion finished third in the league behind winners FC Zurich and St Gallen.
The 6’2” gloveman has played for his country at Under-20 and Under-21 levels while being named in the senior squad in Switzerland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
His exit comes closely on the back of Andy Smith, who joined Gillingham for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a three-year contract at Priestfield Stadium.
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