Owner/chairman Acun Ilicali has confirmed Okan Ozkan as his “top choice” to be Hull City's new sporting director, despite Ozkan’s previous club claiming a deal is already done.
Ozkan has left Pogon Szczecin and is in line to replace Jared Dublin, who left on Monday after what is thought to have been a disagreement over a new contract.
“Okan Ozkan, who has served in our club as the director of the scouting and recruitment department, has accepted an offer to take on the role of sporting director at Hull City,” claimed the Dockers.
“Okan will become the first sporting director to move directly to the Premier League from a Polish club. This is not only an important step in his career but also confirmation of the high competence, professionalism, and quality of the individuals shaping the structures of Pogon Szczecin.”
TARGET: Hull City owner/ chairman Acun Ilicali has confirmed his interest in Okan Ozkan (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)placeholder image
TARGET: Hull City owner/ chairman Acun Ilicali has confirmed his interest in Okan Ozkan (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Hull have not confirmed the deal, but Ilicali, pictured, tweeted on Wednesday to say he wanted to speak to Ozkan as his “top choice” for the job.
Ipswich Town have beaten the Tigers to the signing of Toulouse striker Emersonn. Hull were reported to have bid £22m for the Brazilian but the Tractor Boys have agreed a deal said to be worth up to £26.6m.
Sheffield United are emerging as front-runners to sign Aston Villa forward Lewis Dobbin. Middlesbrough were keen to buy the 23-year-old, who scored 10 goals on loan at Preston North End last season, but a loan to Bramall Lane is looking more likely.
Boro have not taken Micah Hamilton on their pre-season training camp in Portugal. They kept two spaces open rather than name Hamilton in their 25-man squad after the mid-season transfer window. He is thought to have played on trial in a St Mirren friendly.
RETIREMENT: Former Rotherham United forward Duncan Watmore (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)placeholder image
RETIREMENT: Former Rotherham United forward Duncan Watmore (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)
Halifax Town have signed ex-Doncaster Rovers striker Conor Carty from Waterford. The Wolverhampton Wanderers product made his senior debut for Bolton Wanderers.
Doncaster were one of a number of clubs Carty was loaned to before permanently joining St Patrick’s Athletic in January 2025. He stayed in the League of Ireland when Waterford bought him a year later.
Former Middlesbrough forward Duncan Watmore has retired. The 32-year-old, who ended last season with Rotherham United, has become head of elite performance and business development with sports nutrition company PEAK4.