Defender leaves Newcastle United to agree contract with surprise Premier League club - Middlesbrough snubbed
A former Newcastle United defender has reportedly agreed to join Premier League newcomers Hull City.
West Ham United and Norwich City are reportedly set to suffer disappointment after a former Newcastle United defender agreed to join Premier League newcomers Hull City.
Defender Matt Targett was one of several players to leave the Magpies when their contracts came to an end last month after he spent the vast majority of the season on loan at Championship neighbours Middlesbrough. The former Aston Villa and Southampton full-back was part of a Boro side that missed out on automatic promotion into the Premier League before suffering a narrow loss against Hull in a hastily rearranged play-off final.
That came after Targett had suggested he was keen to become a permanent member of Kim Hellberg’s squad after easing into life at the Riverside Stadium.
Speaking earlier this year, Targett told Sky Sports: “I had a chat with Eddie [Howe] in January and he was so understanding about my situation, so I thank him for that. He knew [staying at Middlesbrough] was beneficial for me and that I wanted to keep playing. The future? I’m not sure to be honest,” he added. “I believe I’m done at Newcastle so that chapter is closed. Hopefully we get promoted here (at Boro) and there will be a contract for me…but if not I’ve played as much as I can this season so I’ll assess my options.”
Boro’s failure to secure promotion via the Championship play-offs left Targett’s future up in the air - and reports over the last week suggested West Ham United and Norwich City were both keen to offer the experienced left-back an opportunity to play a part in what they hope will be a successful bid for promotion into the top flight. However, The Hull Daily Mail have now reported Hull have agreed a two-year deal with Targett and state the former Magpies defender will undergo a medical with the Tigers before joining their squad for a pre-season training camp in Slovenia.
Should the move be completed over the coming days, Targett will look forward to returning to St James Park with his new side on Saturday, September 19.
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