Tigers boost promotion credentials as Woods joins and Greaves pens new deal
CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE: New signing Ryan Woods. Picture by Hull City
By Simon Bristow
Hull City’s promotion ambitions have received a double boost, with experienced midfielder Ryan Woods joining from Birmingham, and Hull-born defender Jacob Greaves penning a new long-term contract.
Both deals, announced on Thursday, are timely and significant statements of intent by the rejuvenated Tigers, who have been transformed under the new ownership of Turkish businessman Acun Ilıcalı, and now look a force to be reckoned with in the Sky Bet Championship.
City head to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday unbeaten in the opening four games, and lying second in the table, a point behind leaders Blackburn.
Woods, 28, who has signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, is vastly experienced at Championship level, having made just under 250 appearances in the second tier during spells at Brentford, Stoke City, Millwall, and the Blues.
He made 30 appearances for Blues in 2021/22, and started their opening two games of this season against Luton Town and Huddersfield Town.
NEW CONTRACT: Hull-born Vice-Captain Jacob Greaves. Picture by Hull City
Tigers fans will be particularly delighted by the signing of a new four-year contract by Greaves, a highly rated defender who has been at the club since the age of eight, and who is the son of former City star Mark Greaves.
Greaves, 21, who signed his first professional contract in 2019, made his senior Tigers’ debut against Leicester City Under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Featuring 41 times in his debut campaign, Greaves helped City win the League One title as he was named the club’s Young Player of the Year.
He made the step up last season to the Championship with relative ease and featured in every minute of the Tigers’ 46 league matches. His performances helped guide the team to Championship safety and earned him the club’s Young Player of the Award for a second successive season.
Greaves was named Vice-Captain at the start of this season and has appeared in all five of the Tigers’ matches so far.