Joao Pedro is set to leave Hull City after agreeing terms with Liga MX outfit Atlético San Luis, in what will be a major early blow for newly appointed manager Sergej Jakirovic.
The 33-year-old forward was Hull’s top scorer in the 2024/25 campaign, netting six goals across 36 Championship appearances.
Confirmed By a Journalist
Pedro’s imminent exit was confirmed by journalist Gianluigi Longari, who reported that an agreement is now close between the Tigers and the Mexican side. It marks a swift conclusion to the Brazilian-born striker’s spell in East Yorkshire, having joined last summer following a spell with Turkish giants Fenerbahçe.
🚨 L’ex attaccante di #Cagliari e #Fenerbahce Joao Pedro lascerà l’Hull City. Vicino l’accordo con i messicani dell’Atletico San Luis 🇲🇽
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) June 15, 2025
Despite Hull enduring a difficult season—ultimately avoiding relegation to League One—the experienced forward was a bright spot under previous head coach Rubén Sellés. His standout moment came in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City in March, with Sellés hailing the goal as “an amazing action” and praising the striker’s technical ability and work rate.
“The goal was a clear example of that. It was an amazing action from Joao with his technical ability,” Sellés told the BBC at the time.
However, following Sellés’ departure in May and Jakirovic’s arrival from Kayserispor, a summer of change was always expected. Pedro now follows Xavi Simons out of the club, the latter having joined Bolton Wanderers earlier this window, while loanee Joe Gelhardt—second in Hull’s scoring charts—appears unlikely to return.
Hull Eye Replacement as Frigan Links Reignite
Attention now turns to finding a suitable replacement, with Croatian striker Matija Frigan firmly on Hull’s radar. The Tigers have been linked with the 22-year-old previously, and with Pedro’s exit confirmed, interest is expected to intensify.
Frigan, who currently plays for Belgian side Westerlo, enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign with 14 goals and two assists in 41 matches. While his tally came in a less competitive league, the numbers comfortably surpass Pedro’s six goals and two assists for Hull, sparking belief that the Croatian could be a viable successor.
Writer’s View
Joao Pedro’s exit comes as no surprise, but it highlights the thin margins Hull City are operating within. Even as last season’s top scorer, Pedro’s six-goal tally underscores a broader issue: the Tigers lacked firepower in 2024/25, and letting him go without a ready-made replacement would be a gamble.
Matija Frigan appears to be the standout target, and his record suggests potential—but making the jump from Belgian football to the Championship is a risk. If Hull want to back Jakirovic properly, they must move swiftly and ambitiously in the market. Otherwise, Pedro’s departure could be the first chapter in another testing campaign.
