Matt Targett signs two-year contract with Hull City

Matt Targett has joined Championship side Hull City on a two-year deal, as confirmed by the player's former club Newcastle United. The left-back leaves St James' Park after a period of reduced playing time under Eddie Howe.

Background and context

Targett, 29, initially joined Newcastle on loan from Aston Villa in January 2022 before making the move permanent that summer. He was a key part of the side that secured Champions League qualification in 2022-23, but lost his starting spot to Dan Burn and later Lewis Hall. Last season, he made only six Premier League appearances, five of them from the bench.

Hull City, currently 18th in the Championship table, have been active in the January window to bolster their defensive options. The Tigers have conceded 38 goals in 27 league matches this season, the fourth-worst defensive record in the division.

Impact on Hull City and Newcastle United

For Hull, Targett brings Premier League and European experience to a backline that has struggled for consistency. His crossing ability and set-piece delivery could provide an attacking threat from wide areas. Manager Liam Rosenior has prioritised adding defensive stability, and Targett's arrival may see him deployed as a left-back in a back four or a left wing-back in a 3-5-2 system.

  • Targett made 47 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing four assists.
  • He won the Premier League's Player of the Month award in March 2022 following his initial loan spell.
  • Hull have kept only five clean sheets in the Championship this season.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have moved to reduce their squad size amid Financial Fair Play constraints. The departure frees up wages and could facilitate further incomings before the transfer deadline. Eddie Howe already has Hall, Burn, and Tino Livramento as left-back options, so Targett's exit was foreseeable.

What's next for Targett and Hull City

Targett is expected to be integrated into the Hull squad immediately and could make his debut in this weekend's Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers. Hull sit six points above the relegation zone, and Rosenior will hope the new signing helps tighten a defence that has conceded 10 goals in the last five matches.

Filed under: Transfer News | LA Premier League Home