Chuba Akpom to Hull City: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Hull City have signed Arsenal’s promising young forward Chuba Akpom on a season-long loan deal.

The Tigers' official website confirmed the deal on Tuesday, as highlighted below:

Akpom will be tasked with firing Steve Bruce’s team back to the Premier League after their relegation in 2014-15. He becomes the second Arsenal player to join Hull on loan after 20-year-old Isaac Hayden also inked a temporary deal.

Here’s a look at what the KC Stadium faithful can expect from their loan purchase:

Akpom was expected to remain part of the Arsenal squad for the upcoming season after manager Arsene Wenger claimed he would not be going out on loan, per the club’s official website. But despite bagging a hat-trick in pre-season against a Singapore Select XI, the Frenchman has decided some time in the second tier would benefit the youngster.

Indeed, although the Gunners have high hopes for the teenager, at this juncture he’s a long way down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

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Olivier Giroud remains Arsenal’s first-choice option at the point of the attack, while Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott will also be vying for the role when the season gets underway. With Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger typically deploying just one centre-forward, first-team football would have been scarce for the academy star.

The Championship will be an excellent environment for the young forward to hone his skills. Defenders in the division are uncompromising in their approach, and for a player who’s still a little raw, that’ll count for some vital experience.

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As noted by Arsenal writer Will Benn during pre-season, Akpom still has plenty to learn before he thinks about nailing down a spot in the Gunners first team:

Bruce is an experienced manager and someone who will utilise Akpom smartly. When he is out on the pitch, the striker must show he can score goals at this level, showing Wenger that he is ready to make an impact in the top flight.

But getting minutes in a competitive setting is the most important thing for this prodigious star. Up to now, the vast majority of Akpom’s playing time for Arsenal has come in academy and reserve matches. Going up against teams in the Championship—a division renowned for its tenacity and unpredictability—will be a steep learning curve for the youngster.