The Tigers have had their business done in advance of deadline day
Lewis Koumas made his impact felt at Ewood Park on Saturday(Image: Alex Dodd/Shutterstock)
Sergej Jakirovic has declared himself happy with the work Hull City have been able to do in the January transfer window, after making five signings.
As they were in the summer, City have been unable to pay a loan or transfer fee owing to the punishment handed down to them by the EFL, but those restrictions will now be lifted.
Despite that, City have been smart in their work and have managed to strengthen their squad and ensure it’s in a better place than it was at the start of the month, with Jakirovic praising the work of sporting director Jared Dublin, head of recruitment Martin Hodge and vice-chairman Mustapha Yokes, overseen by Acun Ilicali.
Kieran Dowell and Paddy McNair have both arrived on 18-month contracts, while Yu Hirakawa has joined on loan from Championship rivals Bristol City. Lewis Koumas and Toby Collyer have come in on short-term loans from Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively.
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Hirakawa’s debut at PNE saw him claim an assist for Oli McBurnie, while Koumas came off the bench to fire home the winner at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
“Yes, I’m happy,” he told Hull Live. “We brought the players who can improve our team, and I think now we have a much wider roster. Especially when we will be all healthy. Crooksy in three or four weeks, OK, with Belloumi and Darko it’s eight to 12 weeks, so maybe April, maybe. Semi Ajayi in mid-March.”
“I think that we did a great job. Jared, Hodgey, together with Mr Chairman and Mustapha, all did a great job,” the Croatian continued. “We are on the same page all the time. Especially now, we don’t have any problems with the adaptation; it’s already passed, and we know now what we need.”
Jakirovic admits City were a much easier sell in January, compared to the summer when there were plenty of questions surrounding the club. The fact that both Koumas and Collyer opted to move to Birmingham City and West Brom at the time, instead of coming to the MKM Stadium, highlights that point.
“Now was easier than in summer because now the players see where you are and that you are now in the top six, that it’s a good team and they like to come.
“This is a big difference from summer because in the summer, there were a lot of questions (from players), you know, about what will happen, la la la. Now we are very pleased with what we have been able to bring and, I think, we will be good, just (hope that we are) healthy.”
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