Hull City are out to improve on a poor 2025/26 campaign, and in a bid to do so, they’re looking to wrap up a Joe Gelhardt reunion.
Hull City only just avoided relegation from the Championship last season; only goal difference kept the East Yorkshire side in English football’s second-tier.
Despite a three-window, EFL-imposed fee restriction transfer ban, Sergej Jakirovic’s side have still managed to make eight signings as they gear up for the start of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
HCAFC - New Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic
Image courtesy of: ANGELIKA WARMUTH/REUTERS.
This is transfer business headlined by the loan-to-buy conversion of Gustavo Puerta from Bayer Leverkusen. Others, such as Semi Ajayi and Akin Famewo, have joined on free transfers, shrewd deals amid the Tigers’ financial uncertainty.
Loan deals have also been struck for Joel Ndala (Manchester City) and John Lundstram (Trabzonspor), and more irons are in the fire.
However, Jakirovic’s outfit are said to be nearing the completion of a deal for Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, who has been told he can leave Elland Road this summer.
Hull City have crucial Joe Gelhardt history
Hull City had Gelhardt on loan for the back end of last season, the Leeds United striker making 20 appearances for the Tigers. HCAFC fans caught a glimpse of what a player he could be for them.
In 20 appearances for the East Yorkshire outfit, he netted five crucial goals for them, including both in a 2-1 victory against Preston North End. That brace ultimately helped to keep Hull City in the Championship and highlighted the threat the diminutive striker poses in front of goal.
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Goals are something that ‘Joffy’ (as he is affectionately known) has always had in him. Picked up by Leeds United from Wigan Athletic as they crumbled under a financial burden, he has scored 23 goals at all levels for the Whites. LUFC fans know there is a player in there, but he has just never had a decent run at Elland Road.
However, a loan return suggests that Jakirovic saw enough last season to convince him Gelhardt can be a longer term hit.
hull city, Everything incoming striker will bring to Hull City as no-brainer transfer nears completion
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
Joe Gelhardt returns – more than just a striker
Joe Gelhardt is rightly lauded for his prowess in front of goal. Goals for Leeds United’s U21s and two Premier League goals for the senior side are testament to that.
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Those goals were there for Hull City fans to see as they fought their successful rearguard action against relegation last season. However, he is more than just goals and more goals. This was borne out in his returns for Hull City last season.
Joe Gelhardt 2024/25 per 90 stats for Hull City – via FotMob
Goals 0.28
Expected goals (xG) 0.30
Shots 2.58
Shots on target 0.62
Successful dribbles 2.30
Touches 48.84
Fouls won 1.90
Tackles won 0.84
Ground duels won 6.44
Possession won final 3rd 0.67
As the above stats demonstrate, Gelhardt is more than just a goalscorer. At Leeds United, he would have been schooled in a style of football under both Marcelo Bielsa and Daniel Farke that was very specific in its aims.
Both these managers believed in, and based their football model around, an aggressive press when opponents had the ball and those stats show that side to his game. Per 90 statistical returns highlight the capabilities of players and what their output would be over a typical game. Gelhardt’s 0.28 goals per 90 sees him amongst the top 20% of players in last season’s Championship campaign.
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A return of that level (0.28 per 90) would suggest a scoring capability of around 14 goals across a regular, 46-game season. To put that into perspective, HCAFC’s top scorer Joao Pedro registered six goals last season.
hull city, Everything incoming striker will bring to Hull City as no-brainer transfer nears completion
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Gelhardt’s game also sees him busy in front of goal, and he works opposition defences hard. This can be seen by his 2.30 dribbles and 2.58 shots per game, 0.62 of these being on-target shots. He is an eager player, always presenting himself and getting involved, as evidenced by his 49 touches per 90 minutes.
Hull City fans will have seen not only this, but also the defensive side of his game. His footballing education at Leeds United has seen pressing elements woven into his game. Not only does he win 6.44 ground duels per 90, but he also presses hard to win possession 0.67 times in the final third of the field.
Joe Gelhardt return a no-brainer for Hull City
Gelhardt has no future at Leeds United and Elland Road and everyone at the Premier League club is in agreement that an exit is for the best.
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Hull City have been in such a position that they can see what he can do in a tight situation and with his back to the wall. Tigers fans will have seen his overall, all-around play and will welcome him back to the MKM Stadium.
Putting aside his performances for them, HCAFC fans will also know that they are getting a player with Premier League experience. His time at Elland Road saw him make 35 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and registering six assists.
If Hull City are serious about making a stronger fist of it this coming campaign than they did last season, ambition is needed. Part of that ambition would be best shown by finalising a deal for Gelhardt.
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They already know what he is capable of; he also has a higher ceiling and has the potential to improve even more. In essence, fighting to land him for the upcoming campaign is something of a no-brainer decision for Hull City to make.
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