Acun Ilicali’s biggest Hull City signing won’t play a single minute for them, but his impact is there for all to see

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Hull City are quietly going about their business this summer, and have already landed some impressive targets.

Semi Ajayi was the latest through the door at Hull after the Tigers opted to appoint Sergei Jakirovic as their new manager.

Jakirovic has two secret weapons he can unleash in the Championship this season and outspoken owner Acun Ilicali is giving him the tools he needs to compete in the league.

Ilicali relinquished control of Fenerbahce to dedicate more time to Hull and is assembling a strong team around him.

That’s off the pitch as much as on it and his best signing is one that won’t kick a ball.

• READ MORE: Hull City can ‘spend big’ again this summer as £66m Acun Ilicali pledge becomes crucial

Acun Ilicali brought in a head of recruitment at Hull City

The Tigers’ approach to the transfer window has usually been scattergun. Find a player, sign them, hope for the best.

There has been a huge turnover in personnel in the last couple of years but with the signings completed so far, it seems like there’s a more logical approach.

Ilicali appointed Martin Hodge, formerly of Swansea City, as his head of recruitment and the difference is already noticeable.

The Turkish businessman is a huge fan of him too, telling Hull Live: “In our team now we have Martin, whom I really like. I really think that we are lucky to have him.

“‘Hodgy’ will be like the experienced eye that will help us not only in recruitment, but also in decisions, with his big, big experience in the Championship, so he’s the new member of our family.”

Hull City could challenge for a play-off place now that things are in place

It’s been a chaotic reign under Ilicali to say the least. Managers often haven’t been given time and have not been replaced adequately. In other cases, the appointment have been wrong altogether.

However, after getting his feet under the table and maybe making one or two rash decisions, it feels like things are beginning to fall into place for Hull.

A strong team off the pitch is slowly finding the pieces for Jakirovic to work with and there seems to be a sense of renewed optimism around the club.

They won’t be title contenders, but you certainly can’t rule them out of a play-off spot.