Full Breakdown
Joe Gelhardt Completes Permanent Move from Leeds United to Hull City
8/13/2026, 11:16:49 AM
Transfer Finalized: Gelhardt Joins Hull City
Leeds United and Hull City have agreed on a permanent transfer for forward Joe Gelhardt. The clubs settled on a fee of £6.5 million (approximately $8.8 million/€7.6 million). After completing the first stage of his medical earlier in the week, Gelhardt is expected to sign a four-year contract with an optional additional year, making him eligible for Hull’s opening Premier League match against Nice.
Background and Recent Performance
Gelhardt, 24, first arrived at Hull on loan in January 2025, scoring five goals that helped the club avoid relegation from the Championship. He returned for a full-season loan last campaign, netting 15 goals and providing four assists, including the decisive strike in the play-off semi-final win over Millwall that secured Hull’s place in the final at Wembley. Prior to his Hull spells, Gelhardt made 35 Premier League appearances for Leeds, scoring twice and assisting twice in the 2021-22 season that kept Leeds clear of relegation.
Financial Terms and Contract Details
The agreed transfer fee of £6.5 million reflects Hull’s assessment of Gelhardt’s proven Championship output. Hull’s chairman Acun Ilicali led the negotiations, and the club intends to lock the player into a long-term deal with a four-year term and a one-year extension option. The agreement also includes standard performance-related clauses, though the sources do not detail those specifics.
Official Comments from Leeds and Hull
Leeds manager Daniel Farke stated that the club had made it clear Gelhardt was not part of its plans for the upcoming season, but praised him as “a fantastic character” who delivered a strong Championship campaign. Hull’s head coach Sergej Jakirovic, who previously oversaw Gelhardt’s loan spells, expressed enthusiasm about reuniting the player with the Tigers and highlighted the forward’s desire to return to the MKM Stadium.
Implications for Hull’s Premier League Campaign
Securing Gelhardt on a permanent basis provides Hull City with a proven goal-scorer ahead of their first season back in the top flight. The forward’s familiarity with the club’s style and his recent 15-goal haul are expected to bolster Hull’s attacking options as they aim to consolidate their Premier League status.
