Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has vowed to address the club’s lack of firepower as a top summer priority.
The Tigers are gearing up for a busy window after finishing the 2024/25 season as the Championship’s lowest scorers, surviving only on goal difference.
Hull City Focus on Attack After Dismal Goal Return
New head coach Sergej Jakirovic has inherited a squad that, while more stable than last season, is crying out for attacking reinforcements. Last term’s top scorer, João Pedro, managed just six goals before departing, with Chris Bedia—who left in January—still ending up as the third highest scorer with three.
Big-money signings Mason Burstow and Kyle Joseph managed just two league goals between them, prompting Ilicali to describe the situation as one that “caused damage in my soul.”
“This year, my first focus is to recover that damage. Also, I think our fans have the same damage, and we have to show them how big our passion is for this year by bringing in a good striker, or maybe strikers,” he told Hull Live.
The Turkish owner admitted the club will need to be more financially measured this summer, hinting at a tighter approach under Financial Fair Play constraints. Yet he believes the squad already has a strong core and expects to add between seven and eight players—some of whom could be loans.
McBurnie, O’Brien and Others on the Radar
Hull City are pushing ahead with talks to sign former Sheffield United forward Oli McBurnie, while also exploring a deal with Nottingham Forest for midfielder Lewis O’Brien. A left-back from a Premier League club is also being discussed, with negotiations ongoing across several fronts.
So far, three new players have arrived at the MKM Stadium, with Ilicali and Jakirovic both keen to accelerate business ahead of the pre-season return. Monday will see the first team reconvene in Cottingham, with returning loanees Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi also rejoining the group.
While attacking reinforcements are top of the agenda, City are also looking to strengthen in five key areas. Jakirovic, appointed earlier this month following the departure of Tim Walter, is expected to bring a different tactical profile and a more aggressive transfer approach.
Writer’s View
The fact that Hull City survived on goal difference after scoring just 44 goals says everything about the issues that need fixing. Acun Ilicali’s emotional admission about the striker position is refreshingly honest—and also reflective of the general feeling among fans. The Tigers have been too blunt in the final third for too long, and targeting proven scorers like Oli McBurnie makes perfect sense.
There’s pressure on Jakirovic, but unlike his predecessor, he starts with a more complete squad and clear backing. If they get the striker call right, Hull could steer clear of danger in 2025/26.
