Jakirovic says deal for keeper Tzolakis is closepublished at 19:10 BST 17 July
19:10 BST 17 July
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Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has told BBC Radio Humberside the Tigers are close to completing a deal for Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
"He is very happy that he will join us. He's a very good lad, professional and played for his national team Greece for a while.
"Everything is good. Of course he is happy, he is going to be playing in the Premier League."
On why there's the 5% of uncertainty over 23-year-old Tzolakis, Jakirovic added: "Because you never know when the player has a medical. When he has signed the contract, he is then your player. That's the 5%."
Hit play below to hear the full 14-minute interview with Jakirovic, which includes confirmation he is in early talks over a new contract, or listen here on BBC Sounds, external
'Ready to ride the rollercoaster' - fan views as club football returnspublished at 11:31 BST 17 July
11:31 BST 17 July
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With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.
Here are some of your replies:
Chay: I'm just looking forward to going to the games with my son. We've been season-ticket holders for years now and we are back in the big time. I'm ready to ride the Premier League rollercoaster!
Tim: I'm excited to see if the signings are good enough to keep City out of a battle to avoid relegation.
Don: Can we stay up? That's got to be our main target. Come on you Tigers. I'll follow you forever, even from Spain!
One thing you're looking forward to when club football returnspublished at 12:39 BST 16 July
12:39 BST 16 July
The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.
As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is a Hull City fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.
So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?
Gossip: Hull set to complete deals for winger and goalkeeperpublished at 08:41 BST 16 July
08:41 BST 16 July
Hull City are expected to finalise a move this week for Swedish winger Elliot Stroud, 24, from Mjallby in a deal worth £3m - and are also hopeful of completing the signing of Olympiakos and Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, 23. (Sky Sports), external
'We will use it for the club's benefit' - Ilicali on £55m loanpublished at 12:05 BST 14 July
12:05 BST 14 July
Media caption,
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali says the club has taken out a £55m bridging loan to be in a "strong financial position" for their return to the top flight, despite being close to receiving their first wave of Premier League money.
Last week, football finance expert Kieran Maguire said the loan from a third party investment group seemed "strange", adding: "It leaves you scratching your head a little bit."
Ilicali explained the decision in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside: "Why is it strange? We want this club to be financially strong to be able to make transfers.
"I respect that everyone is talking about this loan but, at the end of the day, what we are trying to do is be in a strong financial position so that we can spend money when we need to.
"This club was supported with money from my company for four years. All I can ask is for our fans to not worry about any of the financial things. We can loan money and spend money. They should be confident that we are going to use the money in Hull City.
"All we have done is take the money that we are going to get anyway a bit sooner, so that we can be stronger in the transfer market. We will use it for the club's benefit. We need to make good transfers this summer so we need more money now.
"We have to be strong in the Premier League. It takes around two to three weeks to get some transfers [over the line] so we have to move quickly. In order to be quick, we need the money in advance."
When the World Cup finishes, the football continues on BBC Sportpublished at 07:13 BST 14 July
07:13 BST 14 July
When the World Cup ends, regardless of who wins, we'll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new Premier League season.
We're already working on some exciting new things for 2026-27.
As well as all the fallout and reaction to the tournament, we'll quickly shift back towards club football, with pre-season coverage and all the latest transfer gossip and stories.
BBC Sport and teams across BBC Nations and Regions cover all 20 Premier League sides and we have dedicated club reporters, who will be travelling to bring you behind-the-scenes insights from pre-season tours.
We'll also have live pages for selected pre-season matches, as well as in-depth features and storytelling, giving you the latest updates before the new campaign.
Once the World Cup ends, some of the standout players will be hot property in the transfer market, with top clubs chasing their signatures.
We'll also have our daily transfer gossip column, wrapping up all the rumours from across the football world.
For fans of World Cup Predictor, a new weekly game will be launching immediately after the tournament, with five fixtures a week to predict the outcomes of. You'll be able to build up your streaks and share your results with friends and family.
Our quizzes will also continue to be available to play so you can test your knowledge of the beautiful game.
Our new Shorts tab in the BBC Sport app will be the home of sport videos with content throughout the week from your club, including explainers, pundit analysis, interviews and behind-the-scenes content. We'll also be starting to include more reaction from fans so you can see the latest hot takes and debate the biggest talking points from your club.
Live pages are going to get bigger and better with more interactive elements, more conversation and improved functionality. They'll have BBC Radio 5 Live audio commentaries for the Premier League and Champions League, as well as live video for FA Cup.
Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.
Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.
And when following your Premier League team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications, which give you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.
Gossip: Zambrano set for return to Hullpublished at 08:30 BST 13 July
08:30 BST 13 July
Former Hull City loanee Oscar Zambrano is set to return to the club after a permanent deal was struck with Slovenian side Maribor. The 22-year-old Ecuador midfielder's previous spell in 2024 was cut short by a drugs ban. (Hull Daily Mail), external
Will your club sign any World Cup breakout stars?published at 12:00 BST 10 July
12:00 BST 10 July
Image source, Getty Images
Plenty of players have made names for themselves at this World Cup, from goalkeepers like Cape Verde's Vozinha and Paraguay's Orlando Gill to New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just.
But though they might not have been familiar to fans, the extent of modern scouting means clubs all over the world will already have known about many of them – so how have their heroics at the tournament affected their standing in the game, and their value in the transfer market?
More than the Score's Mani Djazmi is joined Ben Littlemore from Transfermarkt, one of the world's foremost football databases. Lutz Pfannenstiel, sporting director at Aberdeen, also shares his footballing knowledge in today's episode.
Why Hull's £55m loan is a 'little strange'published at 10:35 BST 10 July
10:35 BST 10 July
Image source, Getty Images
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says Hull taking out a £55m loan from a third party investment group "leaves you scratching your head a little bit".
A notice on Companies House says the club have taken out a loan from global investment group Point72. It's been borrowed against their training ground and the lease for their stadium.
It is unclear why exactly they have done this as the club are days away from receiving first wave of Premier League money, believed to be around £30m.
"It does seem very strange," Maguire told BBC Radio Humberside.
"Ideally it is just a bridging loan. Hull are due to receive their first Premier League money in the next week or so, so that will bring some cash back in.
"It has been quite expensive since that glorious day at Wembley because they have had to pay bonuses and upgrade the stadium to make sure it fits with the latest Premier League expectations.
"VAR cameras have to be installed too - it is quite an expensive exercise being promoted.
"The thing that surprises me most overall is if it is just a bridging loan for a few months because of the cashflow demands of promotion, until the money starts to flow from the Premier League itself, the the owner himself is independently wealthy.
"Why couldn't he have put that money in for a couple of months and then take it back out?
"The fact they are borrowing from a third party leaves you scratching your head a little bit."
Contract talks end with Dublin's departurepublished at 10:27 BST 8 July
10:27 BST 8 July
Mike White BBC Radio Humberside sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
Jared Dublin's departure is completely out of the blue. He has played such a crucial role in the last couple of years in terms of management, squad building and recruitment.
It's seemingly to do with a breakdown of communication in personal contract talks and not player recruitment contracts or anything like that. He was looking to be rewarded for the fact the club are now in the Premier League and that comes with greater work and responsibility.
From my understanding, the two parties were some way apart in what they viewed his value to be.
The club feel a respectable and fair offer was made for a sporting director at a promoted Premier League club. Owner Acun Ilicali has told me of his respect for Dublin and that there is no ill-feeling given the outstanding work carried out in recent years.
Seemingly, Dublin did not think the offer was fair.
As I understand it, Dublin felt talks were ongoing and it wasn't a case of him leaving. If we are going to put it to brass tacks, then the wording means he has effectively been sacked. He had a very brief meeting Monday morning with members of club staff and that meeting ended quickly with him leaving the club.
My sources say Dublin wasn't happy with the valuation of the offer but was happy to keep talking.
This feels like a big blow for a club who which is trying to get themselves ready for a return to the Premier League.
But there remains a feeling internally that they can make progress.
Meanwhile, former sporting director Darren Robinson has been speaking to BBC Radio Humberside about his role in teaching future sporting directors and what qualities Hull should be looking for in Dublin's successor.
Explore Turkish market but not Fenerbahce? Free agents and who to avoidpublished at 18:19 BST 6 July
18:19 BST 6 July
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We asked for your views on which free agents Hull could target this summer and whether there is one player the Tigers are linked with but you hope they never sign.
Here are some of your comments:
Pete: On free agents, if we're going to sign any Turkish players this summer - and that is a very reasonable assumption - we could do worse than Zeki Celik from Roma. He would add some Premier League quality at full-back. Player (or team) to avoid - it wouldn't surprise me if we tried to sign half of the Fenerbahce team. I would rather this didn't happen.
Andy: Gustavo Puerta, who would have been a Hull City player if it wasn't for the embargo preventing his contract been rubber stamped. Playing for Colombia and just got promoted to La Liga with Racing Santander as champions. Nice if we left a clause in place.
Hull part company with sporting directorpublished at 14:51 BST 6 July
14:51 BST 6 July
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Sporting director Jared Dublin has left Hull City after less than two years at the club.
BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White said: "Sources have told me a breakdown in communication over personal contract talks between Dublin and the club has contributed to his departure."
The American initially joined the Tigers as head of recruitment in August 2024, replacing Lee Darnbrough.
A 47-word club statement read: "Hull City has parted company with sporting director Jared Dublin with immediate effect.
"The club would like to thank Jared for his efforts throughout his time at Hull City, particularly for his contribution to our promotion to the Premier League, and wish him well for the future."
Despite promotion to the top flight, Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) created the situation whereby a club set to receive significant funds had no choice but to sell players before the accounting period ended on 30 June.
You're the scout! Which World Cup players do you want at your club?published at 12:32 BST 6 July
12:32 BST 6 July
Image source, Getty Images
We're now well into the knockout rounds of the biggest World Cup ever and we want to know who has grabbed your attention - especially with the summer transfer window open since 15 June.
Which player has raised your eyebrows? Who has exceeded your expectations? Has there been a player you had no knowledge of consistently impress you?
Ultimately, who would you realistically like to see lining up for your team in the Premier League next season?
This is your opportunity to show off your talent-spotting skills - the floor (pitch) is yours...
And there's more - the BBC has launched live match updates so you can see the score directly on your lock screen through the full 90 minutes and beyond.
This means you can keep track of every game wherever you are - whether you're on the move, at work, or away from a TV. With live match updates on your lock screen, the score is always just a glance away.
This feature will also extend into the 2026-27 Premier League season, so you're never out of the loop.
Gossip: Hull target Milinkovic-Savicpublished at 07:56 BST 6 July
07:56 BST 6 July
Hull City want to sign Napoli and Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, 29, as they prepare for their Premier League return. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)
A free deal and which transfer link is a thumbs down?published at 17:32 BST 3 July
17:32 BST 3 July
We have been asking you questions about Hull City all summer. Our latest is a two-pronged query...
First, is there anyone on the free transfer list you think makes sense or is realistic as a signing?
Mohamed Salah, John Stones, Solly March, Fabinho, Leon Goretzka, Dusan Vlahovic, Jadon Sancho, Daichi Kamada and Yves Bissouma are just some of the names currently available - and you can see a list here of the 15 free agents involved at the World Cup.
And secondly, is there a player Hull are constantly linked with but you hope they never sign? If so, who and why?
Hull must improve with each deal - Swan published at 18:15 BST 2 July
18:15 BST 2 July
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Hull City need to bring in players who can compete at Premier League level, says former Tigers player Peter Swan.
"Most of the squad are Championship players," Swan told BBC Radio Humberside. "So it doesn't surprise me that any of them could possibly move on to the same standard that they came from.
"Only thing you'd want, and they did this last year, the recruitment team did exceptionally well by the point the players they brought in were better than the players that left, and I think that's what we've got to ask for this year."
Jack Butland became Hull's first signing of the summer on Thursday, but before the news broke, Swan already believed it would be a perfect example of improving on what they had.
Swan added: "Is he going to be a back-up or a number one because the manager last year gave Ivor Pandur the number-one shirt. Every opportunity to put him back in, he did, and that's how the manager feels.
"Is he going to bring Butland as a number one? We'll have to wait and see but the good thing is - what we've done there is brought, for me, a better player in that position than the one we're letting go."
Click play below to hear the full discussion or listen on BBC Sounds here
The 33-year-old has arrived from Rangers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract, with the option of an additional 12 months.
The nine-time England international has spent time in the Premier League across spells with Stoke City and Crystal Palace.
"I'm delighted it's all sorted now and I'm really excited to be here," Butland told the club website, external. "It's a great challenge and a fantastic season to look forward to. The challenge is obvious but an exciting one.
"The Premier League is the best league in the world and, personally, it's a great opportunity to be on the biggest stage again. I believe it's the level I'm capable of playing at, and I've done it before.
"As a club, we've got a great challenge back in the Premier League, not just to stay in the league but to really enjoy it and do as well as we can.
"The last few years playing at an incredible club like Rangers, somewhere I hold close to my heart, meant it had to be something really enticing to change that.
"I've already had some chats with the goalie coach [Erbil Bozkurt]; he seems like a great guy and I've heard great things about him, which is really important to my time here.
"It can't come quickly enough. I'm really looking forward to seeing the fans in a really exciting season for us as a club."
Image source, Getty Images
