15 July 2013 Hull signed their second goalkeeper in this window and agreed a one year contract with 38 year old Steve Harper, who was released by Newcastle United at the end of the 2012–13 season. Steve had been a Newcastle player for 20 years and appeared 199 times for the club (157 being league games).
The 6ft 2″ stopper is vastly experience having played in the Champions League and has 20 Euro games under his belt.
It is believed he has agreed initially to act as a back-up to City’s number one keeper Alan McGregor. He has in fact played as back-up to various first choice magpie keepers during his career and came very close to dislodging Shay Given. Steve played in the 1999 FA Cup Final, when Newcastle lost 2–0 to Manchester United. The Newcastle Manager at the time Ruud Gullit appeared to see Harper worthy of playing over Given.
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16 July 2013 Jack Hobbs went out on loan to Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2013–14 season. The popular centre back and erstwhile club Captain had fallen down the pecking order, as it seems Bruce does not fancy him against fast PL strikers. We wish him luck and a good season at Forest.
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19th July 2013 Friday – The Tigers website announced that Sunderland have agreed to the loan of 27 year old striker Danny Graham to the Tigers for the coming season. It is understood there is a call back clause during the January window.
Bruce and Thompson have pulled off a good deal here without reducing the transfer budget and have brought in a player with PL experience who if used correctly can be deadly in front of goal.
Being a Geordie never helped Graham at Sunderland (that weird hostility thing!) and he must be relieved to have got a move not too far from his home territory.
Gateshead born Graham started his professional career at Middlesbrough in 2003, making his debut for the club in a Premier League match against Manchester United the following year. During his four years at Middlesbrough, Graham made just one first team start. He was loaned out to clubs in all three divisions of the Football League, before joining his final loan club Carlisle United on a two-year deal in 2007.
At the end of his contract, he joined Championship side Watford, who were subsequently ordered to pay compensation. Graham was Watford’s top-scorer in both of his seasons at Vicarage Road, as well as Watford F.C. Player of the Season and the Championship’s overall top scorer in 2010–11.
In July 2011, Graham transferred to newly promoted Premier League team Swansea City for £3.5 million, where in his first season he was their top goalscorer with 12 league goals.
He signed for Sunderland on 31 January 2013 for £5 million on a three-and-a-half-year contract. He made his debut on 2 February, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute to replace Stéphane Sessègnon in a 2–1 defeat away to Reading. Despite playing 11 games for Sunderland in his first half season at the club, Graham has been unable to score his first goal for Sunderland
Danny has netted 94 times in 303 league games for all the clubs he has played for; his Premier League records shows 23 goals in 94 games, so not prolific but indicates that given the chance with a good partner he will be a fine asset for Hull City this coming season.
He has a good disciplinary record and seems to be team player which is important knowing the already good atmosphere in the dressing room.
Danny was capped once by England at under-20 level, starting a 2–0 victory against Russia on 4 February 2005.
We wish him good luck in the Tigers shirt this season.
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