Hull City transfer latest: Ex-Middlesbrough FC loanee Matt Targett joins from Newcastle United
HULL CITY have made their second signing of the week after bringing in former Middlesbrough loanee Matt Targett on a two-year contract, with a club option of a further year.
The experienced left-back, whose final game of a season-long loan spell at Boro came against the Tigers in May’s Championship play-off final, joins on a free transfer after leaving Newcastle United.
His arrival follows on from the addition of Ecuadorian midfielder Oscar Zambrano. Targett, 30, is the club’s third signing of the summer as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season next month.
Targett, who has made 164 of his 266 senior appearances in the Premier League, played 47 times for Newcastle.
He scored four times in 46 matches in a productive loan spell at north-east rivals Boro last term.
The Eastleigh-born defender made his name at Southampton before going onto represent Fulham and Aston Villa.
Internationally, Targett represented Scotland Under-19s before switching allegiance to England, playing at youth level from under-19s through to Under-21s, with whom he won the 2016 Toulon Tournament.
Targett said: “I’m delighted to be here. It was during the England game on Saturday night that my agent rang me and said Hull City were interested.
"The next minute, I was on a phone call with the owner. He is very invested in the football club and speaks very passionately, so it didn’t take much convincing to join.
"Speaking to boys who have been here previously, they spoke very highly of the club, so it was a no-brainer.
"It’s going to be a massive challenge, but we can take huge confidence from what the likes of Sunderland and Leeds did last season.
"I’m at an age now where I feel like I am an experienced head to pass on previous experience of the Premier League to players who have not been in this situation. I’m hoping I’ll be a huge help in the dressing room.
"It’s a great group, very welcoming and easy to fit in. I played with Jack Butland at England youth level – he’s the only one I knew coming into the team.
"I’m looking forward to meeting the fans and hopefully we can get the place rocking for the new season.”