Signing number nine of the summer has arrived at the MKM Stadium
Championship club Hull City have signed Joe Gelhardt from Premier League new boys Leeds United on a loan deal until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Gelhardt spent the second half of last season on loan at City, becoming a firm favourite both in the Tigers’ dressing room and amongst supporters on the terraces, with numerous members of the playing squad doing their bit to convince him to return over the summer months, including Charlie Hughes and Kyle Joseph.
New head coach Sergej Jakirovic was impressed with the 23-year-old’s performances in a struggling team last term and believes the Liverpudlian can thrive in his system this season as a number 10 behind the striker, or through the middle on his own.
Jakirovic questioned the decision to deploy Gelhardt off the flanks at times last season, instead suggesting the best way to get him impacting games would be to play him off the front man, be that Oliver McBurnie or ex-Latics pal Joseph.
The Bosnian boss identified Gelhardt early in his tenure as a player he wanted and made those feelings clear to owner Acun Ilicali, who, like with McBurnie, has secured one of his manager’s top targets.
Out of contract in the summer of 2027, Gelhardt had been told by Whites boss Daniel Farke that would not feature in the months ahead following promotion back to the top-flight. The forward made it clear to Elland Road bosses that he wanted to return to the MKM Stadium, having professed his love for the club in the final weeks of last term.
Former boss Ruben Selles had made it clear to sporting director Jared Dublin that Gelhardt was a primary target for the summer, following his crucial five goals, which helped keep City in the Championship.
That move looked unlikely, initially, with Leeds keen to cash in on a player they signed for around £1m from Wigan Athletic in 2020. The West Yorkshire club were understood to have been looking for a figure in the region of £7m to £8m back in January, but those expectations were lowered somewhat earlier in the summer.
His salary package was also a sticking point because of United’s promotion. As is customary when clubs enjoy success, their players are rewarded, and Gelhardt was no different, with his wage packet increasing by 50 per cent.
Championship interest grew when news emerged that Leeds could be tempted to cash in for around £3m, but throughout the summer, he has made it clear his preference was to return to the MKM Stadium.
For a number of weeks, City have been working on a deal with Leeds that would meet the requirements of the club’s transfer restrictions imposed on them by the EFL and a breakthrough was made earlier this week
To their credit, Leeds have waived any right to a loan fee because the Tigers are unable to pay one, owing to the fee restriction they are currently working under, though the East Yorkshire club will make a significant contribution towards his wages.
Gelhardt will arrive fit, ready for action and eager to repay the club’s faith in getting him here. Though he hasn’t played in any of Leeds’ public pre-season games, he is thought to have played in behind-closed-doors games.
His arrival is another major boost for City and Jakirovic. Despite their restrictions, Gelhardt joins the likes of John Lundstram, Semi Ajayi, Joel Ndala and striker Oliver McBurnie, all of whom are available for the season opener.
Meanwhile, Nigerian winger David Akintola will have his move ratified imminently after passing his medical, and it’s expected he will be involved at Wrexham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
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