Elliot Stroud has been living the dream all year long.
If Hull City fans are pinching themselves at the thought of Manchester United coming to town on Saturday for the opening game of the Premier League season, Stroud's last few months have been one long fantasy made flesh.
Like many Swedes, Stroud grew up dreaming of playing Premier League football. He watched every game he could, and the team he supported was Manchester United.
But at the start of 2026, the left-back was an uncapped footballer playing in Sweden's Allsvenskan.
DREAM WORLD: Elliot Stroud at this summer's World Cup (Image: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)placeholder image
DREAM WORLD: Elliot Stroud at this summer's World Cup (Image: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
In March, Graham Potter called him up for a Sweden debut.
In June, he was picked for the World Cup. He played every game, coming up against Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele in the knockout stages.
Then, earlier this month, he was given the chance to tick of another life-long ambition. If he could do it in Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off, it would be even more special.
"It's been my childhood dream," he says of playing in England's top division, "and to finally be able to do it, hopefully in a few days, will be something that I'm looking very much forward to.
DOUBTED: But Championship play-off winners Hull City are used to upsetting the odds (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)placeholder image
DOUBTED: But Championship play-off winners Hull City are used to upsetting the odds (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
"When I heard that Hull City were interested, it was something that just felt right in the gut.
"I had nothing to worry about. I spoke to some people and, yeah, everything felt great.
"And at a great club, it felt like a good move for me personally.
"Once it came, I felt like it was something I wanted to take and wanted to try and it's not something I regret in the slightest."
FAN: elliot Stroud used to enjoy watching a Manchester United team featuring the likes of now-manager Michael Carrick (left) and Wayne Rooney (Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
FAN: elliot Stroud used to enjoy watching a Manchester United team featuring the likes of now-manager Michael Carrick (left) and Wayne Rooney (Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Part of what made it feel right from him was the way Stroud was able to hold his own in North America, where Sweden came through a tough group behind the Netherlands and Japan.
"In hindsight, it was very good and very important to play alongside top-level players that played both in the Premier League and out in Europe as well and feeling like you could keep up and have an impact," reflects the 24-year-old.
"That was something that gave me a boost in the confidence and something I will take to the Premier League for sure as well.
"I think I'm a very physical player and I like to run and run a lot and tackle a lot as well. I think in my old league, in the Swedish league, Allsvenskan, it was very physical as well.
"Not exactly as physical compared to the Premier League, but I think I'm well prepared and hopefully I can make a mark."
The doubts will come from others, and there are plenty of them.
Last season, many expected Hull to be relegated from the Championship – understandable given a transfer ban meant they were unable to buy upgrades on a squad which only scraped up on goal difference the previous season. Instead they reached the play-offs.
Once they drew the home leg of the semi-final against Millwall, many thought that would be that, but they went to the New Den and won 2-0.
And when Middlesbrough were bossing the final at Wembley, Hull found a way again, scoring late through Oli McBurnie.
So Stroud will need plenty of self-belief to fit in, but having cut the apron strings with Swedish football and Mjalby, he is excited.
"It was very difficult, for sure," he says of leaving.
"I've been there for three-and-a-half years and it was the best time in my footballing career, both on and off the pitch, with all the success we had. So I think that's something I'm always going to be proud of.
"But this is a step I always wanted to take and once this opportunity came, I felt like it was the right moment for me.
"I'm very happy to be here now and I can't wait to get started."
And ironically, but not surprisingly given how well things have been working out for him, the Red Devils hold a special place in his heart too.
As a youngster he was a huge armchair fan of the Premier League.
"Every Saturday and Sunday, most of the games were on," he recalls. "When I hadn't a game during the week, I tried to watch as many games as possible.
"My team was actually Manchester United.
"Now it's Hull City, of course, but it would be special to play against them.
"There were so many great players in the Premier League, but obviously, when I was a fan, it was (Wayne) Rooney and (Cristiano) Ronaldo and Nani, those kind of guys."
That team featured in central midfield Michael Carrick, who begins his stint as Manchester United's "permanent" coach after a successful spell in temporary charge last season.
"I have some friends that are very, very passionate about the Premier League," says Stroud.
"So yeah, it's going to be very exciting for them to follow my journey here."
Even now, Stroud admits the magnitude of his journey has not fully hit home.
"Maybe in a couple of months, maybe it will be in a couple of years,” he says. “Everything's been moving so fast for me this year and these past months as well. "So I'm still in the moment and I haven't realised fully yet what I've done so far.”