Jozy Altidore is Headed to Hull City
Bye, Bye Spain?
The transfer saga over American forward Jozy Altidore has come to its end as the 19-year-old has signed a one year loan deal to play for Hull City in the English Premier League. Altidore announced via twitter that he will join the Tigers pending a work permit. Villarreal spokeswoman Marian Solsana told yanks-abroad.com that "Altidore is in England right now. We expect to make an announcement either today or tomorrow." Hull City has set up a press conference for tomorrow to introduce. Fulham and Everton were also in the mix for the teenage sensation, but Hull City had the most need for a striker with midfielder Geovanni leading the scoring for the Tigers in the 2008/09 season. Jozy will be joining fellow countrymen Clint Dempsey (Fulham) in the Premiership this coming season as the second American attacker in the EPL. There were rumors of Altidore being loaned to another club in Spain or Greece, but Hull City might actually be the best place for the former New York Red Bulls striker to see field even though the club plays in one of the world's top leagues.
Hull City was promoted to the top tier of English football last season where they barely escaped regulation to England's second tier league. Five years ago Hull City was in the lowest tier of English football with the club in steady decline. New ownership breathed life into the club and in 2005 and 2006 Hull City moved from Division Three to League One to the Championship. Then in the 2007-08 campaign the club was promoted to the English Premier League making Hull City's move to the top the third fastest of all time.
Hull City is in the process of signing South African midfielder Seyi Olofinjana and is after another striker in Cardiff's Ross McCormack. Currently, Altidore will have to compete against Craig Fagan (3 goals in 22 appearences in 2008) and Caleb Folan (9 goals in 44 appearences since 2007) for playing time. We shall see if young Jozy will be the next American to make his way in England.
Is this the best move for Jozy? Comment below.
Sean Heffernan