The Tigers have added an experienced midfielder to their ranks
Championship club Hull City have completed the signing of Besiktas midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic on loan for the season, and he becomes the Tigers’ 12th signing of the summer.
Hadziahmetovic arrives on loan for the season with City and adds further competition to the Tigers’ engine room in what is a timely boost to Sergej Jakirovic after successive league losses.
The 28-year-old Bosnian arrived in England last week and trained with his new teammates on Thursday, after undergoing a medical in London on Wednesday, but had to wait for Abu Kamara’s switch to Getafe to be confirmed before they could confirm it.
It was hoped he could play at Bristol City on Saturday; however, after having to wait for his visa, coupled with hold-ups at the Getafe end with Kamara, the deal wasn’t completed in time, and he returned to Istanbul over the weekend to collect some personal belongings. He’ll be in the squad for the first time when the Tigers look to bounce back from successive defeats at Swansea City on Saturday week.
City have pushed hard to bring in the 30-cap Bosnian international, with boss Jakirovic keen to bolster his midfield ranks ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, adding him to fellow summer arrival John Lundstram, who also arrived from the Turkish Super Lig earlier in the window.
Matt Crooks’ ankle injury, which he picked up in the win over Oxford United, has kept him sidelined for the last couple of games and will not see him return until after the international break, so the Tigers pushed ahead in their bid to work around their ongoing transfer restrictions and sign a midfielder.
Jakirovic is a big fan of the midfielder who is primarily a defensive operator, but can play further forward if required, and says he will add greater discipline to the Tigers’ engine, and arrives fit and ready after a full summer campaign in Istanbul.
“He trained normally with Besiktas in pre-season,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “He will bring more discipline to the position, more duals, and more solutions on the ball. Sometimes, we can change Lunny (John Lundstram) as well, especially after the international break, when we will play every three or four days. They can play together, as well, but it gives us one more option”
“I feel really excited to be here. I can’t wait to get started and play the first game,” Amir said. “The coach called me one month ago. He worked in Turkey last year, so I know his mentality and how he wants to play. He likes to play offensive football, and his team to be aggressive, which suits me as a player. “I feel great around the players – they have made me feel at home. I know the guys who played in Turkey, and I played with David Akintola last year; we had a good connection and some great games at Rizespor.
“I’ve been in Turkey for almost 10 years. It will be a big challenge for me. I can’t wait for the games to start. With my experience, I can help the younger guys with some words. I will try to help them as much as I can, try to deliver my experience to them.
“I hope I can be consistent. That’s the most important thing I want to give the fans – to keep consistency of good games and good results. “My best qualities are passing, build-up game – more like a playmaker. I think I can be a good help to the team. The stadium looks really impressive, and I can’t wait to see it full.”
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