New Hull City signing Matt Targett's inspiration from Leeds United
HULL CITY signing Matt Targett insists that the Premier League newcomers can draw inspiration from Leeds United and Sunderland in their quest to retain their status in the top-flight.
The experienced left-back, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, has joined the East Yorkshire outfit on a two-year contract, with the club having the option of a further year.
The 30-year-old, whose final game at Boro came against the Tigers in May’s Championship play-off final, joins on a free transfer after leaving Newcastle United.
On the new mission with Hull, whose last stint of over one season in the big time was over a decade ago, said: "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 (after promotion in 2024-25).
"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."
Targett is the club's second arrival of the week and follows on from the arrival of Ecuadorian midfielder Oscar Zambrano.
Prior to that, City had brought in England international Jack Butland and they remain in the market for a number of other signings as business starts to intensify ahead of the start of the Premier League season next month.
A number of other players are being lined up by the club, including Japan international midfielder Hidemasa Morita and Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Former Sporting Lisbon star Morita, 31, has also been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Ipswich Town.
Swedish wing-back Elliot Stroud, Aston Villa midfielder Leon Bailey and Orlando City winger Marco Pašalić are among City’s other targets.
Latest signing 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 playing for Fulham and Villa.
Internationally, Targett represented Scotland Under-19s before switching allegiance to England, playing at youth level from under-19s through to Under-21s.
Targett added: "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."