The Tigers are expected to make a new addition in the next 24 hours
Yu Hirakawa in action for Bristol City earlier this season (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic says the club are closing in on the signing of Bristol City winger Yū Hirakawa, and he could be in the squad at Deepdale on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old Japanese winger was named in Bristol City’s squad at Oxford United on Saturday, but it’s expected that the winger will complete the formalities of his loan move to the MKM Stadium on Sunday.
Jakirovic was speaking after City moved back into the Championship’s top six with a terrific 2-1 win at Southampton, to complete their first league double of the season.
Goals from Kyle Joseph and Charlie Hughes saw City leading 2-0 at the break, and though Ross Stewart stepped off the bench to pull the hosts back into it in the closing stages, City looked comfortable in claiming a fourth away win in their last five games.
“I think tomorrow Yu will be coming in for a medical check, and I think that he will have a press conference potentially, because we agreed on everything with him and with Bristol City,” the Croatian told Hull Live.
“He was in the squad with Bristol City today, but I am expecting him tomorrow to complete his move. He can play in multiple positions, on the right wing, at right wing back, and on the left, so he’s good for us because we are lacking these options.”
On the victory that moved City fifth in the league, and in the process, secured a first league win of 2026, Jakirovic was full of praise for the heart and desire his side showed to hold the Saints at arm’s length.
“It was a very difficult game for us, especially before this game; we had a lot of problems. Eleven injured players, and also in this game, we lost Akin (Famewo), we lost Kyle Joseph, and even Coylely after a 50/50, so God knows who will play on Tuesday again.
“But we are very happy. Congratulations to the lads; tactically, we were good. Maybe Southampton deserved one goal in the first half, especially in the first 20 minutes.
“They didn’t score after these corners and one good action, I think through Adam Armstrong that Ivor saved, and we scored our chances. Second half I expected more risk from Southampton, but we controlled everything. Maybe we can defend this goal better. I must see it one more time because it’s one player inside, and we have two or three players.
“We must have control there, and till the end, OK, they try something and with substitutions, but in the end we took three points, and we’re very happy.”
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