Joe Gelhardt Joins Hull City After Late Call From Owner

Hull City secured forward Joe Gelhardt on a permanent transfer after owner Acun Ilicali made a late personal approach, according to reports from Hull Live. The 24-year-old signed a long-term contract running until June 2030 after coming close to joining Birmingham City, returning to a club where he had previously played on loan.

Gelhardt's transfer accelerated after a late-night video call from Ilicali, which interrupted plans for a medical examination with Birmingham City. The forward said he had been uncertain about his future before Hull made contact and completed the agreement within days.

Gelhardt described the uncertainty surrounding his next move before Hull's intervention.

"As time went on I was thinking 'are Hull ever going to come knocking?', it's not nice the unknown, but when they did call it was such a relief and it was a no-brainer. It was late at night, I was ready for anything, I was on the phone to my agent all the time. I think it was like 11 o'clock at night the owner Acun Ilicali FaceTimed me, I was in bed so I had to get up and sort myself out," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

The approach arrived shortly before Gelhardt was scheduled to undergo a medical with Birmingham City. His account indicates that the transfer remained uncertain until Ilicali contacted him directly.

"I was going for a medical at Birmingham the next day when the owner Acun Ilicali rang so yeah, pretty close," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

Gelhardt also outlined how quickly the agreement progressed once Hull established contact. He said his medical took place on Wednesday morning and he signed his contract on Thursday, following the initial call on Monday night.

"There was a lot of waiting around, a bit of uncertainty in what was happening, but in the end, it got done, and I couldn't be happier. It was late at night, the owner FaceTimed me with my agent about 11 at night. I had my case packed, I was on my way down to Birmingham the next day for a medical, and that was the first time I heard properly from Hull. That was Monday night, and then I had the medical on Wednesday morning, signed on Thursday, so it moved along pretty quickly after that," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

The forward said he was surprised by the unexpected development but welcomed the opportunity to return to Hull. His previous loan spells had given him experience with the club before the permanent move.

"I was a bit in shock to be honest, cos I hadn't heard much, but I was delighted more than anything. I was just happy and just wanted to get it done as soon as possible," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

Gelhardt previously spent two loan spells at Hull and helped the team secure promotion last season by winning the play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley, according to UK Sports Yahoo. He also discussed the prospect of facing Everton, a club he visited for a trial during his childhood.

"I was on trial there when I was younger, like 9 or 10. I've got a lot of family who are Everton fans and a lot of mates who are Everton fans as well, so yeah, it'd be nice to win and taunt them a little bit. My mate's going to the game in the away end with the Everton fans.

He goes all the time, so hopefully we beat them in front of him. They're obviously a very established Premier League club, they're solid, they know how they want to play, and they're good defensively, good going forward, so it'll be a good challenge," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

Hull entered the matchday period with eight points from five Premier League games, including a victory over Manchester United and a draw against Chelsea, according to Livescore. Gelhardt said he now approaches the challenge with more experience than during his previous time at the club.

"I've got more experience now than when I did. I was 19 or 20 last time, so I'm more experienced, but I'm still just as excited and ready to go," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

Gelhardt also emphasized the need for concentration against Premier League opponents after Hull conceded quickly in matches against Chelsea and Newcastle United. He said the team understood the consequences of allowing high-quality opponents opportunities to score.

"If you give teams like that half a chance, and they score goals. That's the quality that teams have in the Premier League, and we know that. It's a reminder that you can't switch off for a minute against teams in the Premier League. We'll be fully focused on Sunday against another very good team," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.

Hull had not played in front of their home supporters since drawing with Aston Villa in early September. Gelhardt said the return to the MKM Stadium was important for the squad, which had made a strong start to the season.

"It will be massive being back at home. The fans at home play a massive part. We've got a good record this season at home, so hopefully, we can carry that on for the fans and can't wait to be back there.

It's going good. We've got a great team, we've got great lads, and we know the way we want to play. The start of the season was great, and we're looking to build on that," said Joe Gelhardt, Hull City forward.