Football League World
·5 September 2024
Football League World
·5 September 2024
Steven Alzate is understood to have completed a medical with the Tigers, and an announcement is expected imminently.
Hull City are set to complete the signing of Colombian international and former Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate on a free transfer.
That's according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri via X late on Wednesday evening, as the 25-year-old midfielder is understood to have completed a medical with the Tigers, and an announcement is expected imminently.
Alzate has been a free agent since his contract with the Seagulls expired this summer, bringing an end to a seven-year association with the club, having signed with the Premier League side from Leyton Orient back in 2017.
As revealed by Tavolieri, an announcement is expected imminently that will confirm Hull City's capture of Alzate.
The Belgian journalist has stated that Alzate's medical took place on Wednesday afternoon, news which came almost immediately after he commented on Hull's interest in the central midfielder.
Colombian news outlet, AS, had linked fellow Championship side Sheffield United to a move for the former Brighton man this summer, whilst Turkish side Trabzonspor were understood to have submitted an offer for the player.
Graduating from Leyton Orient's academy in 2017, he made his senior debut in late February of that same year, before catching the eye of Brighton that summer.
Then 18, Alzate signed a three-year contract with a Brighton side who had just won promotion to the Premier League, and were making preparations ahead of their top-flight campaign.
After spending some time in Albion's academy side, Alzate would move to Swindon Town on a season-long loan deal for the 2018/19 season, but his impressive campaign was halted by a stress fracture to his back that sidelined him for three months.
Upon returning to Brighton, the highly-rated Colombian would finally make his breakthrough at the AMEX, after being handed his first team debut at the start of the 2019/20 season.
Alzate would go on to make numerous Premier League appearances over the following seasons, which would've been more if it hadn't been for varying injury setbacks along the way.
The midfielder has spent the last two seasons on loan with Belgian First Division A side Standard Liege, where he has, for the most part, been able to stay injury-free, which has allowed him to bank two impressive seasons with the club.
Typically, free agent signings are veteran players who have reached the peak of their footballing powers, but can offer experience and know-how to clubs.
But at just 25 (turns 26 on 8 September), Alzate is a player who may yet have his best years still ahead of him, but only if he can secure regular minutes and stay fit.
If he can achieve both of those things with Hull City, Alzate could be a very shrewd signing by the Tigers, as the Colombian international has evidenced that he can play at Premier League level, and on the international stage.
His two goals and four assists in 24 league appearances with Standard Liege last season, points to a player that can create and provide goals from central midfield too, something that Tim Walter's side appears to lack slightly.
Indeed, in 2023/24, Alzate's 85.6% pass accuracy placed him among the top 88.2 percentile of Belgian First Division A central midfielders - per FotMobFotMob, further showcasing how much of a tidy player he is.
In what is a fairly youthful Hull midfield, Alzate will bring experience and wisdom of performing on various high-profile stages, but is also a player who could still have a fair bit of room to grow.