Hull City are preparing for a daunting return to the Premier League after last season's remarkable Championship playoff triumph, an achievement few had predicted given the club's turbulent build-up to the campaign.
Sergej Jakirovic's side entered the 2024-25 season as favourites for relegation, operating under a transfer embargo throughout and conceding 66 league goals, the fourth-highest total in the division. Yet they finished sixth and went on to beat Middlesbrough in the playoff final to secure a place among England's elite. Underlying numbers suggest the achievement was even more improbable than it appeared: Hull ranked second-bottom for expected points in the Championship, with a total of 53.1, a figure that would ordinarily point to relegation rather than promotion.
Much of that success was built on the goals of Oli McBurnie, who scored 19 times last season. Whether he can maintain that form in the Premier League, having previously struggled at the top level, could prove decisive for Hull's survival hopes.
Owner Acun Ilicali, the Turkish media figure who has been through five managers since taking charge in early 2022, remains bullish about the club's prospects. "Think about us like a volcano," he said. "It's boiling right now and it's going to erupt."
Hull have moved quickly in the transfer market, echoing Sunderland's strategy from last summer of bringing in a large volume of new faces, albeit with a considerably smaller budget. Eleven signings have already arrived, including goalkeeper Jack Butland, midfielder Hidemasa Morita, defender Matt Targett, and club-record buy Nobel Mendy, a central defender who joined from Rayo Vallecano for just over £20m. Jakirovic has also expressed interest in Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor and Swansea's prolific Zan Vipotnik, who scored 23 Championship goals last season. "The transfer market is very slow," Jakirovic said. "But, in the last seven days of the window, it will become very, very quick."
Injuries have complicated preparations, most notably an arm problem for Butland that could sideline the former Rangers goalkeeper until Christmas despite promising pre-season form. Young defender Charlie Hughes, named Hull's player of the year last season, is also facing a spell out after hernia surgery, though he is expected to return by early autumn. The 22-year-old, who came through the academies at Liverpool and Manchester City before joining via Wigan, is regarded as a key figure in Hull's rearguard.
Off the pitch, Hull avoided a looming six-point deduction by selling goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to Rangers and midfielder Aidon Shehu to Panathinaikos for a combined £8.5m, having spent the previous season under an EFL transfer embargo. Premier League broadcast revenue has since strengthened the club's finances, with Ilicali investing around £78m in new recruits while insisting he will not overspend.
Japan international Morita arrives as arguably the marquee signing, joining from Sporting Lisbon after four successful years in Portugal that included regular Champions League football and a run to the quarter-finals last season. The 31-year-old, capped 40 times and part of Japan's Qatar 2022 squad, chose Premier League football over a new contract in Lisbon, with Hull beating Ipswich to his signature.
There was also a personal highlight for winger Liam Millar, who featured for Canada at the World Cup after Hull's promotion, making three appearances as his country reached the knockout stage before losing to Morocco. "It was an unbelievable experience," Millar said. "I've never seen Canada the way it was, I've never seen so many red shirts in Vancouver and Toronto. We want to inspire the next generation and I think we did Canada proud."
Despite the optimism, most observers expect Hull to struggle for top-flight survival. Jakirovic, though, will be relying on the same spirit and leadership - led by veteran defender John Egan - that carried his side further than anyone predicted last season.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.