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Amid all the chaos at Hull City this summer, the Tigers were able to start their season off positively.
Hull were held to a goalless draw by Coventry City, despite many tipping Sergej Jakirovic’s side to be relegated.
A number of the club’s new signings featured as Hull were still able to complete deals amid the ongoing three-window ban on paying transfer fees.
Jakirovic can call it a successful window for sure and one addition in particular was someone he was desperate to sign.
Sergej Jakirovic delighted to bring Joe Gelhardt back to Hull City
24 hours before the game, Hull fans were given a welcome surprise after the club confirmed the return of Joe Gelhardt.
The Leeds United forward spent the second half of last season on loan at the MKM Stadium and has returned once again to bolster the Tigers’ squad.
It was a signing that Jakirovic admits he pestered Acun Ilicali to make after watching clips of the impact he made.
He told Hull Live: “I asked so many times about him because in our situation with the embargo and everything else, he wanted to come to us.
“We need such a player, and there’s no adaptation time. The group likes him and he knows our environment as well, so this is a very, very good choice for us.”
How Hull City plan to use Joe Gelhardt
While Ruben Selles was in charge, Gelhardt would often play on the right-hand side of the attack but Jakirovic seems to think the 23-year-old will be most effective playing up top alongside fellow summer signing Oli McBurnie.
“Normally, he’s a second striker,” the Hull boss explained. “He’s like a number 10 position, so I think he will be useful for us.
“He also has a good left foot (good from set pieces, a good shot from distance, creativity, ideas, and he’s a young player, which is also important.”
Gelhardt could make his first start for the club in the Carabao Cup against Wrexham.