Hull sign defender Mendy for club record fee

What the report says

Hull City have confirmed the signing of defender Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano in a deal the club says is a record fee for the Tigers. The 21-year-old centre-back has agreed a five-year contract, with an option for another year. Hull did not disclose the amount, but the BBC report says it exceeds the club’s previous record, which was set earlier this month when they signed goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos for £20m plus add-ons.

Mendy said he was proud to join Hull and described himself as an athletic defender who likes to build play from the back and defend aggressively when required. He also said he had long wanted to play in the Premier League, calling the move a major challenge he is ready to take on.

According to the BBC report, Mendy began his career at Paris FC and spent last season in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano, where he scored twice in 28 appearances. His final match for the club was the Conference League final defeat by Crystal Palace. Before that, he also reached the same final with Real Betis, who lost to Chelsea. The report adds that Mendy has one senior Senegal appearance, earned in March against Gambia. The signing underlines Hull’s spending power and ambition as they continue to reshape the squad.