{"id":677073,"date":"2026-01-06T06:09:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T06:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/677073\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T06:09:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T06:09:15","slug":"player-joins-joe-gelhardts-hull-city-six-months-after-leeds-united-made-him-a-free-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/677073\/","title":{"rendered":"Player joins Joe Gelhardt’s Hull City six months after Leeds United made him a free agent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For clubs these days, promotion to the Premier League can make a club financially, and equally, relegation can ruin clubs. Just ask Leeds United and take a look at the finances from the last few years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Failure to go up after defeat to Southampton in the play-off final forced Leeds<\/a> to sell a couple of big guns. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all left the club for a combined \u00a3110m. <\/p>\n

But imagine if Leeds didn\u2019t have a gem such as Gray or Summerville to sell? Financially, Leeds could have really struggled after the 1-0 loss to Southampton. Promotion eases the PSR and cash flow concerns.<\/p>\n

Fill in the blank: Brenden Aaronson will finish the season with ___ goal contributions? \ud83e\udd14 <\/p>\n

The American international is enjoying his best-ever Premier League season<\/p>\n

\"SplitCredit: Stu Forster\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

It makes promotion necessary and pivotal for a club like Leeds. However, one part of a club does suffer when promoted, and that is the youth. Younger players struggle to break when trying to avoid relegation.<\/p>\n

Just ask Harry Gray, who, after making his first-team debut last season, has not had a sniff this time around despite his stunning U21 form. James Debayo<\/a> is another example of being a victim of promotion.<\/p>\n

James Debayo finally finds a new club after Leeds United exit<\/p>\n

In 2021, Leeds beat Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea to sign London-born Debayo<\/a>. He would go on to play twice for the first team last season, under Daniel Farke. But his deal ended in the summer.<\/p>\n

\"JamesPhoto by Malcolm Couzens\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Debayo had an offer on the table from Leeds<\/a>. But the young defender chose to move on from Leeds, probably realising that he was not going to add to his two senior appearances with Leeds promoted.<\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

Debayo had interest from abroad<\/a>, but it has only taken until now for the defender to find himself a new club. He\u2019s joined Joe Gelhardt\u2019s<\/a> Hull City, where a real former Leeds contingent is starting to develop.<\/p>\n

Hull captain Lewie Coyle is a Leeds academy product who played 23 times for Leeds. Darko Gyabi went to Hull in the summer and Oli McBurnie was in Leeds\u2019 academy until 2010. Now, they have Debayo.<\/p>\n

Should Leeds have done more to keep James Debayo? \ud83e\udd14 <\/p>\n

Seemed like he’d make it at leeds\u2026<\/p>\n

\n

We are delighted to announce the signing of promising young defender James Debayo. \u270d\ufe0f <\/p>\n

Welcome to the Tigers! \ud83e\udde1#hcafc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hull City (@HullCity) January 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

What Joe Rodon said about new Hull City star James Debayo<\/p>\n

There was a genuine belief that Debayo could make it at Leeds. The defender is one of only a handful of youngsters that Farke has played, alongside Sam Chambers, Charlie Crew and Harry Gray at Leeds.<\/p>\n

Farke prides himself on being a manager with faith in youth but during his time at Leeds, that has not really been the case. Joe Rodon, however, saw a player in Debayo<\/a> while he was with the first team.<\/p>\n

Rodon said, last season: \u201cJames is a calm head on a young boy\u2019s shoulders. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll have a bright future. Of course, he\u2019s been limited to opportunities, but when he\u2019s had the chance, he\u2019s done really well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, after months without a club, Debayo has a new home and could make his debut for the Tigers in The FA Cup this weekend when Gelhardt and co. play host to fellow Championship side Blackburn.<\/p>\n

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