Hull City complete signing of Hidemasa Morita from Sporting on two-year contract

Hull City have completed the signing of Hidemasa Morita, the Japanese midfielder, from Sporting CP on a two-year contract with a 12-month extension option. The 31-year-old joins the Tigers’ pre-season camp in Slovenia, though a minor calf issue will sideline him for the opening week of training.

What does Morita bring to Hull City?

Morita arrives with 166 appearances and two Liga Portugal titles under his belt from four seasons at Sporting. The 31-year-old adds technical quality to Nigel Adkins’ midfield, where he slots in alongside Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano and Matt Targett. His arrival marks Hull’s fourth summer signing, reinforcing a squad aiming to push for a top-six finish after finishing sixth in the Championship last term.

League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 6th in Championship, 73 pts, 21W-10D-15L from 46 games, recent form WWDWL. The Tigers scored 70 goals and conceded 66, ending 22 points behind Coventry in the title race. Their last result came on 23 May 2026, a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Why did Morita turn down Ipswich?

Morita chose Hull over Ipswich Town after both clubs tabled offers this week. Sources close to the deal say the lure of playing Championship football at the MKM Stadium swayed his decision, despite Ipswich’s own ambitions under Kieran McKenna. The move also reflects Hull’s clear push to strengthen their squad before the new campaign, with Morita’s experience in Portugal adding depth to Adkins’ plans.

When will Morita make his Hull debut?

The midfielder will miss the first week of pre-season due to his calf strain but is expected to join team-mates in Slovenia shortly. His integration will be watched closely, given Hull’s recent form - a four-game winning streak with four wins and one draw in the last five matches. Recent form (last 5): 4W-1D-0L (WWWWD, most recent first).

What’s next for Hull City?

With Morita now in the fold, Hull can focus on finalising their squad ahead of the Championship curtain-raiser. The Tigers sit 22 points behind Coventry in the table, leaving room for improvement if Adkins’ side can build on last season’s 73-point haul. Goals this season: 70 scored, 66 conceded (+4 goal difference). The opening fixtures will test their ambitions, starting with a clash against a side aiming to close the gap on the top two.