City's winter transfer window is finally set to open
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
05:00, 19 Jan 2026
Sergej Jakirović is set to have his squad bolstered
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Sergej Jakirović is set to have his squad bolstered (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Toby Collyer and Yu Hirakawa are set to become Hull City's first senior signings of the January transfer window.
It's expected that the pair will both sign loan deals at the MKM Stadium ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Deepdale as City look to back up Saturday's fine 2-1 win at Southampton against Preston North End.
Despite rumours emerging about the winger coming in on a similar deal to Darko Gyabi, sources say Hirakawa's move from Ashton Gate is a straight loan, the same with Collyer from Old Trafford.
Bringing in new arrivals has proved difficult so far, with only academy youngster James Debayo being the only arrival of the winter window, where they are once again operating under strict rules placed on them by the EFL.
Acun Ilicali, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as Tigers owner on Monday, suggested last month that two or three signings would be likely, and that remains the case.
It was thought that departures would be required to bring players in, but after conversations with the EFL earlier this month, the situation has become clearer.
Currently, City have one space in their 25-man squad. Another one will be created with a resolution to Brandon Williams' future, which will allow Japan international Hirakawa to join from Bristol City.
Further departures were expected, but City's fine season and promotion challenge have ensured players want to remain part of Sergej Jakirovic's squad.
Stoke City were in talks over a loan move for Cody Drameh, but his injury means he will be staying in East Yorkshire, for now at least, with more talks set to happen during the summer when he could well move on.
As it stands, there are not expected to be any major departures before the window shuts on February 2 at 7pm, with bosses at the MKM Stadium remaining calm, and keen to give Jakirovic as much support in the quest for promotion as possible.
Another big boost for City is the imminent return of Joe Gelhardt to full fitness, while it's understood the window for him to be recalled by Leeds United has now passed.
There were never any plans for him to return to Elland Road, but there was an element of concern in the back of City's minds that a tempting bid could have come the Whites' way, given his electric form prior to his calf injury.
That has not been the case, and the 10-goal striker will now see out the campaign at the MKM Stadium, as expected, and his return to the fold is another piece of good news coming back on an impressive win on the South Coast, ahead of Tuesday's trip to Deepdale.
Bringing in another goalkeeper cannot be ruled out, but it has become less of a priority. Talks with Middlesbrough's Seny Dieng were at an advanced stage, but have since cooled.
Given the injury to Darko Gyabi, which has ruled him out for the majority of the campaign, another midfielder cannot be ruled out in the final two weeks.
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