All signs are pointing towards US forward Jozy Altidore going to Hull City on loan this season. Altidore has been rumored to be offered out on loan on Olympiacos in Greece, St. Etienne in France, and Everton and Fulham in England. According to his twitter page, Altidore flew over to England today and will be at a press conference tomorrow. While he never specified what team was going to, he did say that he is preparing for opening day against Chelsea. Hull opens with Chelsea. I'm not sure how I feel about this move. I don't know what it will do for his development. He needs a lot of work on the technical aspects of his game. He finishes well, but needs work with his dribbling and passing. This move could help him develop as a target striker, which he has the size and strength for, but I don't think that's the direction he needs to be focusing on. It doesn't look like Hull has an established striker, so playing time should be up for grabs. I hope he can get his work permit and get on the pitch.
Cool, hopefully he becomes the consistent starter. I'd like to see Jozy against some really good competition as the main guy some more.
Can't find any pictures of the press conference, but Jozy to Hull was announced today. He'll be wearing number 9. Seyi Olofinjana also joins from Stoke. According to the Sky Sports article, Jozy joins on a season long loan with an option to purchase at the end of the season. I'm hoping that he can develop into a target striker this season and then return to Spain to work on his touch and passing.
Soccer By Ives just posted this link to the video of the press conference. Its worth noting that Altidore's deal is contingent upon him receiving a UK work permit. He does not automatically qualify, but has filed an appeal to receive one. As SBI says, Altidore's case is a bit weird. He doesn't qualify because he didn't play in any of the 6 US matches in the Gold Cup. He has played in all ten official matches in 2009 and 72% of official US matches in the last two years. I'm hoping that he does get the work permit as he has established himself as a regular starter for the US and Hull wants him to start. He has a better case than the last US permit applicant, Brad Guzan, who had just a few caps to his name and was going to be a backup at Villa last summer.
Don't freeload off of our leagues, thank you very much. If unknown Brazilian teenagers can get work permits, then I'm sure an American will be fine.
You're kind of labeling the English league as a purely long-ball and strength league while the Spanish league is mostly footwork and passing. I can see Altidore staying in England and perhaps moving up the ranks to a "better" club if he performs well.
From what I have seen, the lower down the table you are the more punt and run you play. There isn't too much room behind Hull. The move can't hurt as he will be playing, but I'd prefer him to be with a more technical team. Of course, if he pans out and then sets up a move to Arsenal or a team that prefers more technical play, it could be the best of both worlds. I'm just not too sure what the odds of that are.
Hull are actually one of the "newly" promoted team who're quite technical. They definitely have a more entertaining style of play than Stoke, Burnley, or Birmingham. It is a great move for him and I'm sure once you see him play for Hull you'll agree.
Finally went back to watch the video of the press conference. Anyone else check it out? They call him Jose Altidore constantly. I think they got it right once.
Altidore talks to Sky Sports News about his move to Hull. And a few things that make me even more hesitant to like this move. Altidore did not play in today's Friendly that served as the Dean Windass tribute match. They also spell his name wrong on the team web site. And the Hull City site lists him at 5 ft 10, rather than the 6-1 that I thought he was. Maybe he's no target striker afterall.
Altidore was granted a work permit. He will be available for the opener against Chelsea on Saturday. In other good news, his name was spelled right in the article I just posted. And he was not available for the Windass tribute because he did not yet have a permit. But he has been practicing all week and could be in the starting lineup.
Altidore is the Truth! I remember watching him in his MLS glory days, and I've been on his bandwagon ever since.
ESPN2 bought the rights to broadcast the Hull-Chelsea match from Fox Soccer Channel. However, Jozy Altidore still has some things to sort out with his work permit and announced via twitter that he will not be playing in this match. Bummer.
All the drama is now over, and Jozy Altidore made his debut with Hull City today. He missed the opener with work permit issues, and the Wednesday match was either missed with work permit issues or quarantine from swine flu, depending on who you want to believe. Altidore made the flight into London Friday over night and took a helicopter over to Hull to get in on time for the match. Here are the highlights Originally posted on The Offside Rules. Jozy picked up the assist with one of his first touches in his first club match in seven months. He missed three very decent chances and nearly picked up another assist. Haven't seen a 19 year-old American make an immediate impact in Europe like this ever.
