Hull City's on-loan Matthew Pennington says, 'I need a home in the summer'

The 25-year-old has just over a year left on his Goodison Park contract, but is at his sixth loan club, having also played for Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City, Walsall, Leeds United and Ipswich Town.

He has made nine league appearances for Hull - two more than for Everton, where he made his Premier League debut in 2016.

The Warrington-born defender has been with the Toffees since he was 11 but now he accepts it is time to cut the ties and try to secure some stability.

“I’m thinking I need a home in the summer, somewhere to put my roots down and crack on with my career,” he said.

“I’ve been on loan quite a lot now so I’m looking for that place to settle down and really push on with my career.

“Every transfer window you’re thinking ‘Where could I be next?’ and even for personal relationships it’s difficult when you’re travelling around the country.

“That’s part of the game and part of my life for the past five years, so it would be nice to settle down somewhere but football changes very quickly anyway.

“You could be on a permanent deal somewhere and still find yourself moving every window. It’s part and parcel of the game but it does take its toll after a while.

“I’ve got next season at Everton but hopefully I can get something sorted in the summer elsewhere. If not, we’ll just see what happens.”

The uncertainty coronavirus has caused about what the future holds is even greater at Hull, who will be thrown back into a Championship relegation battle if and when the 2019-20 season resumes.

The Tigers were two points above the relegation zone with nine matches to play and had not won in the league since New Year's Day when English football was suspended until at least April 30 because of the impact of covid-19.

Hull's small squad had a longer injury list than most, so they will be hoping the extra recovery time and the break in the negative momentum works to their advantage if and when there is a resumption. Although that is something the authorities are keen to see happen, being forced to abandon the season and declare it void, as has happened lower down the pyramid, would guarantee the Tigers' place in next season's second tier.

They and Pennington would then have a decision to make over whether retaining him was an attractive and affordable option after a season where the versatile defender has spent a lot of time on the bench.

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