Joe Gelhardt has become Hull City’s second signing of the January transfer window after agreeing to join the club on loan from Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.
Gelhardt underwent a medical in London on Monday, which was nothing more than a formality and was at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday to undergo his club media duties, after training with his new teammates for the first time – the move is a straight loan, with the forward under contract at Elland Road until 2027.
The striker had a host of other options both in the Championship and further afield but is understood to have been impressed by Ruben Selles’ vision for the Tigers, with the Spaniard keen to get the best out of the 22-year-old and kick-start his career during the remaining weeks of the season and score some crucial goals to help the Tigers escape the drop zone.
Liverpool-born Gelhardt was at the MKM Stadium last Saturday to watch City take the lead against Leeds before fighting back from 3-1 down to seal a captivating 3-3 draw, though he didn’t get off the bench in the second half.
Whites boss Daniel Farke spoke glowingly of Gelhardt’s attitude ahead of their narrow 1-0 FA Cup win over Harrogate Town on Saturday, though he admitted first team opportunities would be limited given the strength of options at his disposal, and that’s why he’s been allowed to leave.
Gelhardt was absent from the squad which overcame plucky Harrogate at Elland Road as he neared his move to the MKM Stadium and will now call the MKM Stadium his home for the next five months as he looks to regain his form, and finishing prowess which saw Leeds snap him up from Wigan Athletic in 2020.
The young forward will go straight into Selles’ squad for Saturday’s trip to Millwall, where he’s expected to make his Tigers debut. His arrival means City will now sanction the exit of summer signing Chris Bedia after a quiet start to life at the MKM Stadium following his season-long loan move from Union Berlin. Bedia has scored just three times in 21 appearances and has been told he will not feature under Selles.