American striker Jozy Altidore has confirmed that he will be playing for Hull City this season, and that a press conference to announce the deal will take place on Thursday afternoon.
ESPN is reporting that move is not a transfer, but rather a one-year loan designed to get Altidore more playing time against top competition. As I wrote here yesterday, Altidore was most likely to get more playing time with the Tigers, who are thin up front, than with Fulham or Everton. Hull’s current group of forwards — Daniel Cousin, Craig Fagan, Caleb Folan, Nicky Featherstone and Ryan Kendall — combined for only 8 goals in 64 Premier League appearances last season. Marlon King, who was on loan from Wigan Athletic for half of last season, added 5 goals in 19 league starts, good enough for second in team scoring behind Geovanni, who scored 8 goals.
Hull City is also expected to announce the signing of Nigerian midfielder Seyi Olofinjana from Stoke City in tomorrow’s press conference. The Tigers’ first match is away to Chelsea on August 15, which will air in the USA at 7:45 AM Eastern Time on Setanta Sports. American soccer fans will either be getting up very early or setting their DVRs to see a few battles between Altidore and John Terry.
