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Hull introduces Altidore (and a closer look at Jozy’s work permit case)

Jozy Altidore 7 (ISIphotos.com) 

                                                                              Photo by ISIphotos.com

Hull City introduced its newest striker on Thursday as Jozy Altidore made his informal debut as a Tiger.

Altidore showed off his No. 9 jersey at the press conference and answered a variety of questions. The club also revealed that the deal is a season-long loan with an option to buy Altidore at the end of the season.

Here is the video of the press conference.

Altidore's deal is contingent on him receiving a UK work permit, which he doesn't automatically qualify for. He will have to file an appeal for one and anyone who remembers Brad Guzan's work permit issues trying to secure a deal with Aston Villa knows that securing a work permit isn't guaranteed.

So what are Altidore's chances of securing that work permit? Here's a closer look:

Altidore has played in 13 of 24 U.S. national team official matches (qualifiers and tournaments), but that total of 24 includes the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which he missed after playing in the Confederations Cup.

Altidore's appeal is likely to be based on the fact that, at 19, he has played in 10 of 10 official matches in 2009, not including the Gold Cup (the argument is likely to be made that since Altidore played in the Confederations Cup he shouldn't be punished for missing the six matches in the Gold Cup). In fact, when you take out the Gold Cup, Altidore has played in 72 percent of U.S. matches over the past two years, just under the 75 percent required to automatically receive a UK work permit.

So why are Altidore's chances better than Guzan's? Altidore has established himself as a national team starter and is being brought in by Hull to start, two things Guzan didn't have going for him when his first bid for a work permit was rejected.

What do you think of Altidore's move? Happy to see Altidore being given the No. 9 shirt? Think he will get his work permit? How many goals do you see Altidore scoring this season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “… I think the prem is a league better suited for Jozy though because he doesn’t have the touch they value here in Spain…”,
    Joan Capdevila.

    Reply
  2. Hey,

    Hull City fan here from deepest Hull.
    I’m quite shocked at all the anti-Phil Brown posts. It seems his ‘half-time at Eastlands rant’ has been blown way out of proportion your side of the pond.
    In just 2 and a half seasons he has transformed the Tigers from Championship relegation fodder into an EPL side.
    Jozy Altidore seems to have the right attitude to join a club like the Tigers. I’m impressed by what he’s had to say and am looking forward to see him play at the KC Stadium.
    Up the Tigers!

    By the way – it’s AMBER! NOT ORANGE!

    Reply
  3. There’s sooo much Orange in the Prem league this season.

    HULL

    Wolves

    and didn’t a team take a Orange color as an away jersey?

    Reply
  4. Finally someone makes sense. Thanks, John in Florida. I was beginning to think I was the only one who could see the light. Those jerseys ARE ugly.

    Reply
  5. just saw the vid. perfect opportunity for jozy altidore, and from what I’ve seen of Phil Brown on youtube and in this video, I like him. I’ll admit I just looked him up.

    Reply
  6. BS move, so wrong for him.
    Just gonna emphasize his known skill without improving his technical abilities. WE all know he’s physical, I’d love for him to have stayed in Spain and took steps to becoming a well rounded and technically sound striker.

    That said, I love the boy and I’ll buy that ugly Hull city Jersey….

    Reply
  7. actuallly the link hasn’t worked for me yet and i have to go to bed, will try tomorow. good news for altidore though, yay!

    Reply
  8. mwc – thank you for stating what most posters can’t seem to grasp. Don’t get me wrong… I’m as excited by this move as most, and I wish nothing but the best for Jozy. Playing top teams – I hope he takes this opportunity and shows us all that he’s going to grow into the force we want him to be. But at Hull, with relegation a major concern, if he isn’t producing the goods from the first few rounds, this could turn into more bench time. Phil Brown is not a manager who inspires confidence. He’ll be quick to remedy any situation as quick as possible, just to stave off relegation. With that said…. here’s to a double figure tally and a good campaign…. C’MON JOZY!!!

    Reply
  9. I love this move and see it as the 2nd biggest move for Americans, only to Onyewu’s move to AC Milan. Yes Davies move is a big one but I will say that is the 3rd biggest move. Altidore’s move is big for the fact he is looked at to start and even though Hall isnt the biggest of clubs, he has the chance to prove himself in what is arguably the best league in the world. If he can have a great season, he could sign on with Hull City or you could see some of the top clubs looking to sign him. I will say that his next 3 years could very well be his biggest, as they will be his years to prove he could become our best ever player, and not become another Landon Donovan, or Freddy Adu. SO lets all cross our fingers and hope, he has an awsome season.

    Reply
  10. I cannot believe no one else is saying this, so I will — I think this is a bad move for Altidore. Phil Brown is terrible. He is erratic and cannot be counted on to support Altidore if things don’t start off on the top shelf. (anyone recall his leaving the team out on the pitch at halftime?) I also cannot see Brown teaching Altidore anything about the game. (I’d much prefer Hodgson or Moyes in such a role). More importantly, I think, Altidore is not ready to be a starter in the Premier League. His first touch is atrocious and he does not have viable target man skills at this point in his career. Don’t believe me? Go back and watch the games again. He rarely keeps the ball close on first contact. Altidore is raw talent and the Premier League is not a place to learn. He will be expected to produce at a top level from Day One. I think there is a very good chance he will end up on the bench. I say all of this hoping very much to have his performances make me regret saying this very soon.

    Reply
  11. Here’s the potential downside to this:
    –his initial work permit is turned down.
    –Hull appeals.
    –Altidore is in limbo, not playing with Hull, not playing with Vallareal.
    –the appeal is turned down, and by this time the international transfer date is past.
    –Altidore thus remains with a Villareal team that has moved on (so he’s not getting minutes with them) and nothing materialized with Hull City.

    I hope it works out. The biggest thing here is: Jozy needs to play. But if his work permit and then appeal are turned down leaving him in limbo, he won’t be the first American this happened to.

    Reply
  12. Unless Hull was just trotting out the generic ‘I’m a striker’ number I don’t see why anyone would have a reason to believe he won’t be starting. He starts for the USMNT which is a top 20 program. Hull’s strike force was an utter joke last year. Oh yeah and he has huge upside and a ton of skill which also helps in this game I’m told.

    I don’t understand the obsession with interview skills. Who cares if Cooper sucks? Who cares if Jozy is well spoken? If Jozy scores 34 goals next year I’m pretty sure no one is gonna give a rat’s a** if he starts giving interviews that make Captain Caveman sound like a Poet Laureate.

    Reply
  13. Smart man that josy…if you want to get a legitimate oportunity to crack a lineup in a top league…then play for a bottom table team and you will probably see quite a bit of PT. This ultimately benefits his career but the residual effect is an in-form player for the stars and stripes.

    Adu, Beasly….take notes.

    Reply
  14. £6.5 million is the ‘buy it now’ price.

    Posted by: Richard

    At yesterday’s rate that would be about $11M, one more than Villareal paid. Not bad for a year sitting on the bench.

    Reply
  15. Tim N

    Work permits are hard to gauge in England as in Brad Guzan’s case (being that my mom is English, I don’t have to have a visa etc. like Jozy would—which is the ideal situation). The club will meet with the Govt. on Monday and it could be as simple as a yes or no or could drag out if they want more evidence to present the case. More than likely, as in Guzan’s case, Bob Bradley will proved a statemetn in Jozy’s favor as ot his tiemwit the national team and that he is now a regular call-up etc. to help the case.

    The work permit issue hurts the EPL, a lot more than folks realize and not just American players. Carlos Vela (Mexico) had to play in Spain two years (on loan) and pick up a Spanish passport before he was allowed to play in England with Aresnal as did not have the 75% international games played.

    Reply
  16. What have we learned from that video? Phil Brown is a smarmy individual.

    Good luck Jozy. Hope you knock ’em dead and get a transfer to a top 4 club.

    Reply
  17. If the loan has an option to buy, I guess Villereal has given up on him? They paid $10,000,000 to get him, gotta think they would be looking to get a big chunk of that back

    Reply
  18. When I was but a high school lad, I was turned on to soccer by the 1994 World Cup…

    Ooooh. Cobi Jones. Alexi Lalas. Eric Wynalda.

    I had no clue about ANY of these guys, and certainly, outside of national team matches, had no way to watch them.

    Fast forward 15 years. The US has its own league, in which the US’s best player is the star. There are American players in leagues around the world. There are two American goalkeepers playing in the biggest league in the world, with two chomping at the bit for time. One of England’s long established clubs features an American, and ranks one as an all time fan favorite. Today, a 19, NINETEEN(!), year old American was introduced as a star, a #9, for an EPL side.

    WOW.

    Reply
  19. Jozy is 19 and already the starting striker for the USA and he has our WC dreams riding on his shoulders.

    I sure hope he scores at least 10league goals this season.

    Same for Davies. At least 10 goals is a good thing since they’re on mid table clubs.

    Reply
  20. ok done clapping myself on the back. not classy, i admit.

    still, if there were legions of posters here and on other boards enthused at the idea of Jozy linking with Geo, i missed them. most pro Hull posts i saw focused on his PT prospects and the seasoning aspect of playing in a relegation fight

    anyway, i’m excited to see how well Jozy handles this challenge

    Posted by: dutchtwista

    A little humility goes a long, loooong, way. Cheers, dutchwista.

    As for me, i had no clue about him. But i know there is a sharp cookie or two here at SBI.

    Reply
  21. ok done clapping myself on the back. not classy, i admit.

    still, if there were legions of posters here and on other boards enthused at the idea of Jozy linking with Geo, i missed them. most pro Hull posts i saw focused on his PT prospects and the seasoning aspect of playing in a relegation fight

    anyway, i’m excited to see how well Jozy handles this challenge

    Reply
  22. “Jozy and the Tigers?” I think not. Hull ain’t got no real bite.

    Sounds more like, dare I say, “Jozy and the Pussycats”.

    Reply
  23. I hope since Jozy is a big guy they don’t try and play him as a target forward, or hold it against him because he doesn’t play like that.

    Reply
  24. Aside from the EPL most likely suiting Jozy’s physical nature more closely, I think the language is going to be a huge plus for Jozy.

    I’m not sure if there was a language barrier in Spain but Jozy has a terrific personality and good head on his shoulders. If he can produce on the pitch, he’ll win over the front office, the manager and supporters on that basis alone, rather quickly.

    While I’d love for him to have great success, I’d be satisfied if he’s able to see the pitch regularly and continue his development.

    Reply
  25. Agreed Jozy is very mature for his age and you can see the self-confidence in him when he speaks. That said I wish he does well for Hull City and gains some valuable experience against top level opponents on gamedays. This will prepare him well for 2010!

    Reply
  26. also the questions were being asked by people whose native language is english…but im with you…why are we analyzing press conferences

    Reply
  27. You have to say that Jozy is pretty incredible off the field. He is pretty well spoken in these press briefings. He is very mature for his age.

    Contrast that to Kenny Cooper who always seems like a deer in the headlights when he is asked a question.

    Posted by: paul lorinczi

    The two are definitely worlds apart in interview ability, but i still don’t understand a general obsession with Cooper’s interview style. I really don’t care. But for that matter, the vibe at the Hull conferences was much more lively than the first half of the 1860 one. That has to affect things a bit.

    Reply
  28. sonicdeathmonkey,

    thanks for that fact, Like I said early I probably wrong. so I guess the Sentanta is going to carrie the game. Kool Thanks.

    Reply
  29. You have to say that Jozy is pretty incredible off the field. He is pretty well spoken in these press briefings. He is very mature for his age.

    Contrast that to Kenny Cooper who always seems like a deer in the headlights when he is asked a question.

    Reply
  30. Actually the fact that he has 9 makes very optimistic that he will play regularly. Great move, especially as a loan.

    Jozy: must score goals. Many many goals.

    Reply
  31. Did Cambell move to sunderland? I think Jozy will start eventually, but I’m worried about how he will be received in Hull because the boards I have read talk about him being a Hesky like hold up player, where I think he is more like a Yakubu type of attacking big guy

    Reply

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