Hull City transfer news: Aaron Connolly's loan signing a question of 'when not if' as striker shows his hunger to join

But when it comes to making a success of his loan, in the way that last season's at Middlesbrough and others were not, Rosenior says self-belief is the key.

Rosenior worked with the 22-year-old Brighton and Hove Albion forward when he was coming through the club's academy.

Connolly's talent is widely recognised and Hull were not the only Championship club interested but he only has eight senior goals for the Seagulls, plus the two on loan at Boro in the second half of last season.

Connolly was training with Hull on Thursday ahead of an FA Cup tie at home to Fulham he hopes to be part of and Rosenior has no doubts he will be a good signing.

"We're just dotting is and crossing ts," he said. "I can't wait, hopefully it all gets sorted – there's no reason why it shouldn't. He's going to bring us a lot of energy, pace and directness and I'm really, really looking forward to working with him again.

"Everything's agreed it's just a matter of paperwork and timings, his international clearance because his last loan was in Italy.

"There's no grey areas, he's going to be our player it's just a case of when, not if."

Rosenior sees parallels with his own career in Connolly's failure as yet to fulfil his potential.

As well as his spell at Boro, he spent the first half of 2019 at Luton Town, making two substitute appearances, and has been at Serie B Venezia this season, making just five appearances.

"I think he needs to believe in himself," said Rosenior.

"I went through it in my career. I was 21, top of the world playing every week in the Premier League and then for one reason or another – form, fitness – it doesn't quite go your way.

"Aaron's ability is not in question and for me his character isn't either.

"I've known Aaron since he was a young boy, he's a great kid. He needs guidance like most young kids do at certain times in their lives but I know if I can get Aaron back to the levels he's shown previously in his career and above that, we've got some player on our hands.

"I'm really, really excited to work with him.

"We've been talking for the last two or three weeks and he's shown a real hunger and determination to make it work for it to come here so the signs are really good.

"He looks really, really fit, we've done the medical tests with him and Andrew (Balderston), the head of performance, is really happy."

His eagerness to join with alternatives in the Championship has delighted Rosenior.

"Aaron's found where he's going to live before he's even stepped in the building," said Hull's coach. "He's really shown me a lot of maturity.

"He had clubs in the Championship who wanted to take him and he's decided to come here which is a really nice pat on the back for the football club.

"I can't wait to work with him because he brings a directness and a different element to our offensive options."

Hull are also working on a deal for Crystal Palace midfielder Malcolm Ebiowei, who was on loan at Rosenior's Derby County last season, and have sold Randell Williams to Bolton Wanderers.