As football remains on an indefinite halt, Last Word On Football has taken a look at Hull City players that are out of contract this summer.
Hull City Players out of Contract This Summer
Several Players Could Depart
Several of Grant McCann’s squad are out of contract this summer; however, they do have the option to extend a number of those by a further year.
As a result, the Tigers could face a squad overhaul in the next summer transfer window. They may look to cut costs in order to prevent financial doom following the coronavirus outbreak.
Hull are currently languishing above the Championship relegation in 21st place. Before the season was brought to a halt, they were without a win in 12 games in all competitions, including a 5-1 loss to Stoke City in their last game.
Jackson Irvine
The Australian midfielder is one of the players who the club can extend their contract by a further year.
Irvine has been a mainstay in the centre of midfield since arriving at the KCOM Stadium in 2017. He has made 112 appearances across his three years with the club, scoring 10 times.
His box-to-box style of play and passion at the heart of midfield has seen him become a fans’ favourite. McCann promoted him to the role of vice-captain at the beginning of the season, showing that he is one of the main leaders in the squad. As a result, he is likely to remain at the club for another season at least.
Daniel Batty
Contract talks with the 22-year-old have already begun, but after the coronavirus outbreak has caused football to be suspended, there will be even less of a rush than there was in November when they began.
Batty’s most basic statistics are not the most intriguing – he is yet to score for Hull, and has just two assists to his name in 54 appearances. However, his work as a defensive midfielder can often go unnoticed. The 22-year-old averages just under two tackles per game.
He is by no means the finished product, but there is hope that he will continue his development in Yorkshire.
Angus MacDonald
The defender’s recent health struggles have been well documented. He announced his recovery from bowel cancer only five months ago.
Football’s suspension meant that the 27-year-old could not continue his recovery to full fitness.
The club may decide to offer him a 12-month extension for him to prove his fitness so he can prove that he can warrant a first-team place.
Eric Lichaj
The American’s Championship experience may mean that other clubs are keeping tabs on his contract situation.
Lichaj made the move to Yorkshire into 2018 from Nottingham Forest, where he had spent the past five seasons. He has become a vital figure in the dressing room, making 70 appearances during his time with the club, as well as becoming club captain.
The 31-year-old does have the option to extend his stay with the club, and it is likely that Grant McCann will want to keep his most experienced first-team player.
Kevin Stewart
During his time with the club, fitness has been a major cause for concern for the former Liverpool youngster.
Injuries have plagued each of his three seasons with the club, and as a result, he has made just 70 appearances at the KCOM Stadium.
Having arrived for £4 million, he is likely to have commanded unreasonable wages for the clubs current financial situation. Compromises may have to be made.
Stephen Kingsley
The Scotsman is another who has been hampered by injuries during his time in Yorkshire.
Injuries have meant that the 25-year-old has featured just eight times this season, and has subsequently lost his place in the side to Callum Elder.
He may be one who is let go in order for a fresh start at a new club.
Jon Toral
Jon Toral, like several of his team-mates already mentioned, has been plagued by injury during his time with the Tigers.
The former Arsenal youngster has made just 10 appearances so far this season, the last of which came in a defeat to Barnsley in February. His minuscule appearance figure follows just the 11 that he made during the 2018/19 season.
As a result, the hierarchy at Hull may decide that they do not want to take the risk on him. However, they do have the option to extend his contract by another year.
Robbie McKenzie
The 21-year-old academy product is likely to see his contract extended to give him the chance of breaking into the first-team permanently.
McKenzie has featured sporadically in the Hull first-team so far in his career. He has made 35 appearances for the Tigers during his time with the club, the majority of which came last season.
He is highly thought of at the KCOM Stadium, but he has plenty of competition ahead of him at the heart of the defence.
Norbert Balogh
The Hungarian striker has failed to make an impact since joining in September 2019.
He has featured just three times under Grant McCann, for a total of 57 minutes. Balogh joined after a successful trial, but it has been downhill from there for the 24-year-old.
While they do have the option to extend his contract, it is unlikely that they will take up that option.
Will Mannion
The young goalkeeper has spent much of his Hull career out on loan. He had spells with both Plymouth Argyle and Aldershot Town, before spending this season on loan with Kidderminster Harriers.
Mannion has experienced goalkeepers George Long and Matt Ingram to battle past should he make the first-team. Due to his lack of EFL experience, he may see his time come to an end with the Yorkshire club.
Markus Henriksen and Nouha Dicko
The pair are both currently out on loan, and both are expected to leave when their contracts expire.
Henriksen is currently on loan with fellow Championship club Bristol City, featuring four times before the season was suspended due to coronavirus. According to the Hull Daily Mail, he turned down a new contract at the beginning of the season.
His team-mate, Nouha Dicko, is also expected to leave. He made just two appearances under Grant McCann, before being allowed to join Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
