The Tigers spent much of the summer trying to strike a deal for the striker
Hull City summer transfer target Matija Frigan is facing a lengthy spell out injured after rupturing his ACL in training with his new club Parma.
The devastating news for Frigan was confirmed by the Serie A giants and will come as a hammer blow to the Croatian, who only arrived at the club in a 9 million euro deal last week.
Frigan was a top summer target for City and boss Sergej Jakirovic, with the Tigers chief speaking openly to Hull Live about his desire to sign the 22-year-old from Westerlo, and the player’s desire to come and play at the MKM Stadium.
“Yes (we want him),” the Bosnian told Hull Live at the club’s training camp in Turkey last month. “He’s an excellent striker. His work rate is very high. A very good left-foot finisher, good with the header, good with the left and right foot, good in the spaces, he’s a good target man.
“I think this is the next step for him. This is perfect for him because if it’s coming from Croatia from Rijeka, then it’s maybe a bigger step for him, but now after Westerlo, I think he’s ready to play.”
Those hopes of striking a deal for the striker were effectively ended when the EFL slapped City with a three-window ban on buying players. While a loan move was suggested, the player ruled that out before heading to Parma.
After just one appearance off the bench in the Coppa Italia against Pescara on Sunday, Frigan damaged his knee in training and is now set for a prolonged period on the sidelines.
“Parma Calcio’s medical staff announces that this morning, during a training session at the Mutti Training Center in Collecchio, Matija Frigan was interrupted due to a sprain to his left knee. Following tests performed this afternoon, the striker has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” the Italian club wrote in a statement. “The team, the coaching staff, and everyone at Parma Calcio wish Matija a strong return to the field! Come on, Matija, we’re with you!”
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