Hull City near Matt Targett signing after Newcastle exit
Hull City are closing in on free agent left-back Matt Targett following his Newcastle United exit this summer. Reports say the 30-year-old is set for a two-year deal and will join the Tigers' pre-season camp in Slovenia, after starting last season's Championship play-off final against them while on loan at Middlesbrough.
Key Takeaways
- Hull City are signing Matt Targett as a free agent after he left Newcastle United this summer.
- The move is understood to be a two-year deal, with Targett set to link up with the squad in Slovenia.
- He started Middlesbrough's Championship play-off final defeat to Hull at Wembley last season.
- talkSPORT says the signing would be Hull's third of the summer after Jack Butland and academy recruit Ben Robinson.
Who is Matt Targett and why are the Tigers moving now?
Matt Targett is a 30-year-old left-back who previously played for Newcastle United and Aston Villa. According to the BBC, Hull City are signing the free agent after he left Newcastle this summer.
Transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, cited by Read Newcastle, has also reported that Hull have agreed a free transfer. HullLive, via that same report, says Targett will provide competition for Ryan Giles on an initial two-year contract.
For Newcastle, the exit carries limited squad impact. Targett made only 47 appearances for the Magpies and spent last season away on loan, so his departure was always likely once his Newcastle chapter ended.
What happened when Targett faced Hull in the play-off final?
Targett was a regular starter for Middlesbrough on the left flank last season. talkSPORT reports he featured 45 times, scoring four goals and providing four assists as Boro reached the Championship play-off final.
At Wembley, Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Hull. Oli McBurnie scored five minutes into injury time, sending the Tigers back into the Premier League for the first time since 2017. Targett started that final against the club he is now joining.
The twist makes the transfer a neat football story: the defender who helped push Boro so close to promotion will now try to help Hull stay in the top flight.
How does the Matt Targett deal fit Hull City's summer plans?
talkSPORT understands Targett becomes Hull's third summer signing. Goalkeeper Jack Butland has arrived for £3million, while Ben Robinson has joined the academy from Preston North End.
Hull have also been active in the market the other way, with several first-team and academy exits as they freshen the squad for Premier League life. Adding an experienced left-back on a free transfer fits that rebuild without a transfer fee.
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