Hull City goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi faces an uncertain future after loan club FC Koln have decided against bringing the 26-year-old back to Germany.
As a result, Racioppi will return to England, with Hull facing difficult decisions over the former Swiss Under-21.
Racioppi only joined the Tigers 12 months ago, but has only played once since moving to England, in a Carabao Cup defeat to fellow Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday, where he made an error which lead to a goal.
He moved abroad and joined 2. Bundesliga side FC Koln in January, with a view of earning a permanent move. However, this has also not worked out as planned for the 26-year-old, as he has not made a single appearance in the league or cup, with his sole outing coming for Koln’s reserve team, in a 3-1 defeat to SF Lotte in the Regionalliga West.
After winning the 2. Bundesliga and securing promotion back to the Bundesliga, FC Koln are thought to be unwilling to trigger a buy option, therefore meaning Racioppi will return to the MKM Stadium.
Hull City’s Current Goalkeeping Options
Ivor Pandur started 44 games in goal for Hull in the Championship this season, with loanee Carl Rushworth making just two in his short stint at the club on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Pandur, Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Harvey Cartwright and Racioppi are the four keepers the Tigers have under contract; however, the latter three are vastly inexperienced at Championship level, with Racioppi and Lo-Tutala yet to make an appearance in the second tier.
If Hull want to add another goalkeeper to the ranks, they face a conundrum with Lo-Tutala, Cartwright, and Racioppi all under contract until next summer at the least.
Racioppi is under contract at the MKM Stadium for another two years, meaning Hull must make a decision when it comes to his future, whether they want to sell him, loan him or keep him.
Writer’s View
After sacking Ruben Selles, Hull are searching for a new manager. Multiple names have been linked with the job, but Racioppi’s future in England will mostly depend on what the next new manager thinks of him.
It seems quite stupid to sell him following one bad game (the only game he’s played in amber and black) and after less than a year at the club. On top of this, his loan club, FC Koln, currently have four other goalkeepers on their books, most of whom are older and more experienced than the 26-year-old.
There are also questions surrounding why the club brought the shotstopper into the club, to not give him more of a chance in the first place. You can’t judge a player based on one appearance, especially when they are new not only to the club, but the country.
