Hull sign ex-Newcastle star who lost Championship Play-Off final against them

Hull have signed former Newcastle and Aston Villa defender Matt Targett on a free transfer, talkSPORT understands.

Targett was available after leaving Newcastle and has landed himself a two-year deal on Humberside.

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The 30-year-old had spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, playing for the club 45 times.

He scored four goals and claimed four assists during the campaign which helped them reach the Championship play-off final.

There, Boro fell just short of promotion to the Premier League and ironically for Targett, their 1-0 defeat at Wembley was to Hull.

Oli McBurnie scored five minutes into injury time to send the Tigers back into the top-flight for the first time since 2017.

And Targett will now become their third signing of the summer.

Jack Butland has joined the club for £3million, swapping places with Croatian goalkeeper Ivor Pandur who moves to Rangers for £6m.

Meanwhile, Ben Robinson has joined the club’s academy from Preston North End.

So far, it’s been a summer of sales at Hull as they look to freshen up their squad for the new season.

They have seen Akin Famewo depart for Bolton Wanderers after just one season for an undisclosed fee.

Youngster Aidon Shehu has left for Panathinaikos, while ex-Chelsea and Coventry star Kasey Palmer has moved to Luton Town where he will be managed by Jack Wilshere.

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And Kyle Joseph, who scored eight Championship goals last-term, has exited for Middlesbrough in a deal thought to be worth £4m.

Who will Hull sign next?

Hull have registered their interest in Leon Bailey.

The Aston Villa star, 28, went out on loan to Roma last season but had that cut short in January.

The Villans’ injuries, plus a lack of game time in Italy, made it a smart call and he played a role in their Europa League win.

He may not have appeared in the final but he scored in the second leg of their quarter-final victory over Lille.

Meanwhile, he also made 13 Premier League appearances upon his return.