Hull City confirm signing of James Debayo following his Leeds United exit as 18-month deal agreed
Hull City have confirmed the signing of defender James Debayo months on from his Leeds United exit.
The 20-year-old spent last season on the fringes of the Leeds squad, making the bench in the Championship on a semi-regular basis.
However, after being afforded just one league outing, he reportedly decided against signing a new contract tabled in the summer.
After months on the free agent market, the centre-back has returned to the Championship by penning an 18-month deal at Hull. The Tigers have the option to extend the deal by a further year.
James Debayo on Hull City move
He said: “I’m buzzing. It’s been a while but I’m thankful to finally get the deal over the line and I’m excited to get going now.
“It’s been quite easy speaking to the club because there’s a clear pathway. The team is very young and this feels like a good place for me to take the next step in my career.
“A couple of months ago, I came in to train with the boys to get a feel for the place. I really liked it, and luckily, I’m here permanently now.
“I feel I can progress here, become a more experienced player and get more games under my belt. I am a very composed defender on the ball. I like to break lines and step in. Off the ball, I am fast and aggressive. I enjoy winning my headers and one-v-one duels.”
Familiar faces
A product of Watford’s academy, Debayo joined Leeds as a 17-year-old in the summer of 2021.
The move to the MKM Stadium has reunited Debayo with Darko Gyabi and Joe Gelhardt, who he knows from his Elland Road days.
He is also familiar with Tigers loanee Joel Ndala, who he spent time alongside in England’s youth camps as a teenager.
Debayo said: “The head coach and staff have been really welcoming and helped me settle in easily. There are a couple of boys I know from Leeds, as well as Joel Ndala, who I met at the England camps a few years ago.
“The boys have done so well this season, and I hope to break through into the team as soon as possible and see what happens from there.”