Hull City’s busy week in the transfer market has continued, with the club signing French midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath from Red Bull Salzburg.
City will pay around £3m to bring the 23-year-old defensive midfielder to the MKM Stadium, with him signing a five-year deal in East Yorkshire.
Lucas Gourna-Douath played 15 times in Ligue 1 last season during an encouraging loan spell from the Austrian giants, helping them secure a solid mid-table finish.
A traditional number six, Gourna-Douath shot to prominence at the age of 18 when he joined RB, having come through the youth system with Saint-Etienne, becoming the most expensive Austrian signing ever when Salzburg paid 15m euros.
He played a key role in securing the Bundesliga title in Salzburg, their 17th success, but ended up dropping down the pecking order and was eventually loaned out to Roma in Serie A, though that move didn’t work out so well, with him playing just six times for the Stadio Olympico side.
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A French Under-21 international, Gourna-Douath has represented his country at every age group from Under-16s through to Under-21, where he’s played three times.
The midfielder has a proven track record playing in Ligue 1, notching 76 outings, along with 64 in the Austrian Bundesliga, and 17 in the Champions League, and now, he will get his chance with City in the Premier League.
Gourna-Douath could make his first Tigers appearance on Saturday when host French Ligue 1 side Nice in their final outing of pre-season at the MKM Stadium.
Gourna-Douath said: “I’m really happy because it was such a long journey from the first phone call until I signed. I’m so excited to get started.
“I know Hull City is a big family club. Playing in front of our fans will be fun. It will be amazing for me. The Premier League is the best league in the world. I’m really happy and really excited to face those teams with Hull.
“I love fighting to win the ball back and having the ball at my feet to make the team play. I love to play for the badge and for the fans. I’m really happy to have this experience. I got a chance to play in the Champions League, Serie A and Ligue 1.
“I’ve learned a lot and I’m really happy to put this experience on the pitch in the Premier League. The Premier League is the dream of all footballers. Now, I have a chance to play in the Premier League, so I am excited to play.”
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