Hidemasa Morita signs for Hull City on free transfer; Florentino Luís set to join on loan from Burnley

Morita completes free transfer to Hull City

Japanese international Hidemasa Morita has joined newly promoted Hull City on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with an option for a third season. The 31-year-old midfielder left Sporting CP at the end of his contract after four seasons in Lisbon, having previously spent two years at Santa Clara. Morita had been pursued by Leeds United and Ipswich Town, but opted for the Tigers, who secured Premier League football by winning the Championship playoff final. His first official match will be against Manchester United, where he could face former Sporting colleagues Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

Hidemasa Morita is a Tiger 🧡

The move ends a summer of uncertainty for Morita, who was left out of Japan's World Cup squad by the national team coach. He arrives at the MKM Stadium on a deal that runs until 2028, with the club retaining the option to extend by a further year. The transfer was completed at no cost, as Morita was a free agent after his Sporting contract expired. The Japanese midfielder made over 100 appearances for Sporting and was a regular in their midfield during his four-year stint. The signing was confirmed on Friday, July 24, adding experience to a Hull squad building for survival in the Premier League.

Florentino Luís loan deal nears completion

Hull City are also finalising a loan move for Portuguese midfielder Florentino Luís from Burnley. Sky Sports reports that the deal includes a €17.5 million purchase option, with bonuses that could take the total value above €20 million when the loan fee is included. Luís, 26, joined Burnley from Benfica last season and made 33 appearances, providing two assists. The former Portugal under-21 international will reunite with Morita, a familiar adversary from the Lisbon derby days between Benfica and Sporting. The loan is expected to be confirmed in the coming days, strengthening a Hull side that is preparing for its first top-flight campaign since promotion.

Mourinho's Madrid target Rodri

Real Madrid, under manager José Mourinho, are working to sign Spanish midfielder Rodri from Manchester City. Transfer insider David Ornstein says Madrid are preparing an offer, but City want to keep the World Cup winner. Rodri, a key figure in Spain's World Cup triumph, remains under contract at the Etihad and is central to Pep Guardiola's plans. No formal bid has been submitted yet, but Madrid's interest signals their intent to reinforce the midfield.

Other transfer activity

Al Hilal announced the signing of Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham on a four-year contract. The 24-year-old had been linked with Manchester United earlier in the window. Hamburg have started talks with Arsenal over a permanent deal for Fábio Vieira, according to Sky Germany. In Portugal, Santa Clara signed midfielder João Vasconcelos from Braga on a contract until June 2029, and Famalicão completed the signing of Greek forward Georgios Koutsias from Lugano on a five-year deal.