Hidemasa Morita joined Hull City as a free agent, and the two sides finalized a 2+1 contract.

Newly promoted Premier League side Hull City announced on Friday that Sporting Lisbon midfielder Hidemasa Morita has joined the club on a free transfer. The two sides signed a contract until June 30, 2028, with an option to extend for another year.

Before joining Hull City, Hidemasa Morita had rejected a transfer offer from another newly promoted team, Ipswich Town. He thus became Hull City's fourth new signing this summer, the other three being Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, and Matt Targett.

Hidemasa Morita, 31, started his career at Kawasaki Frontale, a long-established Japanese powerhouse, before transferring from Santa Clara to Sporting CP in July 2022 for €3.45 million. He played four seasons for Sporting CP, making 166 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 16 assists, winning two Portuguese league titles and one Portuguese Cup with the team.

Hidemasa Morita also made 40 appearances for the Japanese national team, contributing 6 goals and 4 assists. He participated in the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Asian Cup, but was excluded from the 26-man squad for the USA-Canadian Cup by Hajime Moriyasu due to a left leg muscle strain.

Image source: Internet/Hull City official website