Matt Targett has become Hull City’s second summer signing, after arriving on a free transfer following his departure from Newcastle United.
As revealed on Sunday, the experienced left-back has penned a two-year contract at the MKM Stadium with a 12-month option, and is part of the Tigers’ pre-season trip to Slovenia, which travelled out of Humberside Airport on Monday morning, ready to play in games against Konyaspor and Rizespor, before heading to Istanbul to take on Kasimpasa.
Somewhat ironically, Targett’s last competitive game was the Championship play-off final at Wembley, when he played against City for Middlesbrough.
He spent last season on loan at the Riverside Stadium, playing 45 times, including that final defeat at the hands of City, which sealed their promotion to the Premier League, thanks to Oli McBurnie’s dramatic late strike.
A player with vast top-flight experience, Targett, 30, has made 164 appearances in the Premier League, with 83 of those coming for Aston Villa, 43 for the Toon Army and 38 for Southampton. He’s also appeared on three occasions in the Champions League for the Tyneside club.
After leaving Villa Park, Targett moved to St James’ Park in a £15m deal but only made 47 appearances in total on Tyneside under Eddie Howe.
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Targett will now compete with Ryan Giles and Matty Jacob for the left-back position, while Elliot Stroud is set to arrive from Swedish club Mjällby and provide further competition on the left side of Sergej Jakirovic’s team.
The Tigers are also working on adding goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis to their squad this week, with Oscar Zambrano arriving from Maribor.
Aston Villa remain locked in talks with the Tigers over a move for Jamaican international winger Leon Bailey. Hull Live understands the 28-year-old is keen on a move to the MKM Stadium, but so far, the clubs have not agreed a fee.
City continue to work on a host of other deals, with owner Acun Ilicali keen to bolster Jakirovic’s squad ahead of the big season opener against Manchester United on August 22, with a number of new arrivals believed to be close, including Japan international Hidemasa Morita.
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