Hull City have completed the signing of Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita on a free transfer, the club announced today. Morita joins the Tigers after his contract expired with Sporting CP, becoming the second Japanese player to join the newly promoted Premier League side this summer.
Club owner Ali Acun Ilıcalı had publicly stated his intention to bolster the squad following their promotion from the Championship, and has followed through on promises made via social media. He initially indicated a high probability of a Japanese player joining, and subsequently confirmed the deal for Morita. Ilıcalı also posted a list of confirmed and potential signings, signalling ambitious plans for the club’s first season back in the top flight.
Morita developed into a key player during his time in Portugal, initially with Santa Clara and then with Sporting. At Sporting, he formed a strong defensive midfield partnership with Morten Hjulmand, who has since moved to Atlético Madrid. He demonstrated his ability to control the midfield and break up play, attributes that will be valuable to Hull City as they adjust to the demands of the Premier League.
The 28-year-old was also a target for clubs in France, including both Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais, but ultimately chose to move to England. He follows in the footsteps of Yu Hirakawa, another Japanese player who made a positive impact for Hull City last season, providing an assist in the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough. Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic, while welcoming the addition, reportedly expressed surprise at the speed of the transfer, according to reports in France.
The arrival of Morita adds much-needed depth and quality to Hull City’s midfield. With a rebuilt squad and financial stability, the club aims to establish themselves in the Premier League, and Morita’s experience and skillset will be crucial to their success.
