The 24-year-old frontman is on the cusp of sealing a move to Middlesbrough
Kyle Joseph was a pivotal figure during City’s remarkable promotion-winning campaign(Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Kyle Joseph embodied everything that was good about Hull City last season, and his departure is the first sign that the Tigers are transforming in their preparations for the Premier League.
There were so many success stories, so many tales of recovery or redemption, but few as impressive as Joseph, who emerged as one of the most popular figures on the terraces, for his work-rate and discipline in doing the job he was asked to do.
Signed from Blackpool in January 2025, with City languishing in the battle to survive relegation from the Championship for two-and-a-half million pounds, Joseph struggled as his side carried about as much threat in front of goal as a dead slug.
Arriving with the legendary Steve Bruce’s blessing, the 24-year-old was battling an ankle problem. In a bid to play his part in their survival bid, Joseph played through the pain barrier and held off surgery until the summer, though he kept that a secret, which is the measure of a character keen not to make excuses.
Without a goal in the 16 games from his arrival to the end of the campaign, many had written Joseph off. Like so many others, Sergej Jakirovic arrived, and instantly things turned. The trajectory was the polar opposite of what it had been.
Joseph quickly became an integral part of Jakirovic’s new-look City. His energy, his willingness to run off the flank, to lead the press was infectious, and without it, there was a big hole in their side. Working alongside Oli McBurnie helped Joseph improve. His two goals in the win at Millwall before Christmas were a testament to that, and his ability to make improvements to his game.
While Joseph isn’t the most prolific striker, and to some, he will be written off because of that, the dirty work he does for the team is selfless and often goes unseen.
Without his eight goals and five assists, City would not have made the play-offs and therefore won promotion. It was cruel that a reckless challenge on him in the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Millwall robbed him of the chance to grace the Wembley turf; instead, he was a cheerleader with a pair of crutches instead of Pom-poms.
His joy after the game was etched across his face, a winner’s medal draped around his neck, leaning on his crutches, dressed in his kit. He deserved that as much as anyone. Now, as he prepares to depart for Middlesbrough, his final selfless act will be to move on and help ease the financial predicament the Tigers are in, ensuring they avoid any punishment despite the riches of the top-flight.
Joseph’s influence, his character and work ethic symbolise everything that was good about Jakirovic’s squad last season. He embodied the graft, the heart and desire we saw in spades, and that ultimately saw them achieve the impossible dream.
Sadly, when clubs enjoy the sudden success the Tigers have, there are casualties, and Joseph is the first high-profile casualty.
On the pitch, Joseph can be replaced, and he will. City cannot afford to have too much sentiment; if they want to be successful in the Premier League, they know they must improve, and difficult decisions must be taken. His departure is unlikely to be the last, as a few promotion heroes seek football elsewhere.
But Joseph showed himself to be a person of significant good character, a player who gives his all, plays with every bit of his heart and has improved markedly under Jakirovic.
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Wherever his career takes him, KJ will leave the MKM Stadium with the love and respect of a fan base who appreciated what he gave for the shirt, the badge and the Hull City community.
Football can be brutal, and this is an example of that. Joseph leaves with his head 10ft tall. A Championship promotion winner, and perhaps his Premier League dream can be fulfilled with Boro.
He’ll arrive at the Riverside Stadium with a glowing reference and a new group of supporters that will get to appreciate the Kyle Joseph City fans got to enjoy over the course of their memorable season, and hopefully, he can have the same impact on Teesside as he did on the Humber.
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