Hull City sign Senegal defender Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano

WEB DESK: Hull City have signed Senegal defender Nobel Mendy from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano on a five-year contract, with an option to extend his stay for a further year, the newly promoted Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, although British media reported that Hull paid around $28.82 million plus add-ons for the 21-year-old.

The transfer surpasses Hull’s previous record fee of 20 million pounds paid for Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis earlier this month.

Mendy joined Rayo from Real Betis and scored twice in 28 appearances during his only season with the Spanish club. He made six senior appearances for Betis and helped them reach the 2025 Conference League final.

The left-footed defender made his Senegal debut in March, starting in a 3-1 friendly win over Gambia.

Mendy said he had dreamed of playing in the Premier League since childhood and was ready to take on the challenge with Hull.

“I have wanted to play in the Premier League since I was little, so it’s a great challenge to face and I am ready for it,” he said.

Hull secured promotion to the Premier League and are strengthening their squad ahead of their return to England’s top flight.