Hull City Beat Ajax to Secure £10M Signing of Croatian Star Toni Fruk
**Hull City have completed a major statement of intent ahead of their return to the Premier League, beating European heavyweights Ajax to secure the signing of Croatian midfielder Toni Fruk from HNK Rijeka on a five-year contract.**
The 25-year-old playmaker arrives at the MKM Stadium in a deal valued in the region of £10 million, cementing his future with the Tigers until 2031.
Winning the Race Against European Royalty
The pursuit of Fruk had developed into a fiercely competitive transfer saga over recent weeks. Dutch giants Ajax had been in direct discussions with Rijeka, looking to lure the highly rated attacking midfielder to Amsterdam. However, Hull City’s decisive approach and clear sporting project proved decisive in winning the player’s signature.
A key factor in securing the transfer was Hull manager Sergej Jakirović. Having previously coached Fruk during his spell at Rijeka, Jakirović identified the Croatian international as his primary target to provide craft, vision, and creativity in the final third.
Reunited with Sergej Jakirović
Fruk flourished during his development in Croatia, establishing a reputation as one of the most productive attacking midfielders outside Europe’s top five leagues. With 32 goals and an impressive tally of assists in 139 appearances for Rijeka, his technical versatility allows him to operate as a central playmaker, operating behind the main striker or out wide.
Speaking on his arrival, the midfielder expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead in English football:
> *”Joining a club with the ambition of Hull City is an incredible opportunity for me. Reconnecting with manager Sergej Jakirović made this choice clear—he knows my game and how to get the best out of me. Playing in the Premier League is a dream, and I cannot wait to get started in front of the fans at the MKM Stadium.”*
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Squad Building for the Premier League Return
Hull City’s return to the top flight—secured via a tense 1–0 victory over Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley—requires significant squad depth to meet the demands of the Premier League. Owner Acun Ilıcalı and the recruitment team have made it clear that targeted, high-quality recruitment is essential to establishing the club back at the top tier.
Fruk’s arrival represents a key pillar in that strategy. His ability to unlock tight defenses and deliver consistent set-piece quality provides the Tigers with a dynamic creative spark as they prepare for a challenging opening fixture against Manchester United.
Player Profile: Toni Fruk
* **Age:** 25 ⚽
* **Position:** Attacking Midfielder 🧠
* **Previous Club:** HNK Rijeka 🇭🇷
* **Contract Length:** 5 Years (until 2031) ✍️
* **Transfer Value:** £10 Million 💰
With the paperwork finalized and medical completed, Fruk is set to join his new teammates immediately for pre-season training ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
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