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.
Yeah Angel, ESPN has a rights package to the EPL in Great Britian, not the states. And while Setanta has gone bankrupt, Setanta USA is still in business, and will be showing the EPL as usual.
I concur. Thank you Dutch. It is also funny how nobody recognized your brillant insight until you brought it up.
In other news, I’d like to see the figures on Hull City jersey sales in the US before and after the Altidore acquisition. I expect them to increase dramatically.
This is win-win for Altidore. If Hull avoids relegation he can be purchased and the team can continue improving while he still is their number one option up top.
If the go down to the Championship, he can go back to Villareal and try to break into the lineup there or go on another loan deal.
Great for you Jozy! You’re the man!
jozy will DEFINITELY get his work permit…might not happen for next weekend…but it will be sorted out at the end of the day…he needs the extra time to train with the squad and get acclimated to life in england anyway
I still don’t understand why people think Jozy will start…Wouldn’t Cousin and Cambell probably get the starts and Jozy will come in from the bench?
Angel needs to stop talking.
Come 2010, we are going to show the world what the Red, White and Blue are made up. Come on Altidore, Davies, Cooper
Altidore as our starting striker partnered with Charlie Davies up top. Looks like Cooper, Casey and EJ will be fighting for the final spot or 2 and most likely be super-subs.
dutchtwista,
you are a true visionary. Please everyone who have watch the EPL knows about Giovianni.
and
sonicdeathmonkey, YOu are probably right but the last time I find out the Sentanta is going Bankrupt and ESPN bought the right for the English Premiere League, Sentanta only have the right for the champions and FSC only have the Seria A.
but maybe I’m wrong.
Ives, give us some input of what going on with the EPL.
Off topic, but why didnt Kenny Cooper join Gronigen? I’m sure the pay would be the same as at 1860 Munich, but I bet he’d be a bigger star and would be playing Europa League football.
Jozy might become a LEGEND during his loan at Hull. If he can score 10goals this season, he’ll be a success. English media already buzzing about him.
I still would have preferred Fulham because Roy has show the ability to grow an american player. I think the prem is a league better suited for Jozy though because he doesn’t have the touch they value in Spain
off topic but another big signing to occur in few days
Did I just become a Hull City fan? I guess they do play in “KC Stadium” so that just might be good enough for me.
@Marc,
I would hope that Hull looked into the work permit issue as you say, BEFORE proceeding with this offer. Based on your experience, how long might it take for this issue to see resolution?
Aside from that, I’m not quite sure why so many people on this board are so negative about Hull. No, they did not play well in the second half of this past season. However, I think Jimmy Bullard, Geovani, and Altidore could make for a nice combination. People also forget that one of the main over-riding issues for Jozy was PT. He wasn’t getting it at Villareal, and that situation had no indications of changing anytime soon. Hull will be a great opportunity for him to step in and see action earlier rather than later.
I learned long ago when several work permits were rejected for what we considered national team regulars not to predict this. Jozy probably has a decent shot but it is by no means a sure thing. If anything he may be forced to appeal as EJ was when he made the move. Recall, Convey and Beasley had their original WP applications rejected by the UK Home Office also.
That’s quite a lot of credit to just take dutchtwista…
I mean, “NOBODY”… That’s a bit of a stretch don’t you think?
Moving on up. Great for Jozy, for the team, and for the nats. Hope the work permit goes through.
Correct dutchtwista, you opened up the eyes of us all.
you ARE the soccer visionary, dutch. thank you for your presence.
funny, NOBODY thought there was an upside to this move ’til i posted on here mentioning Geovanni’s midfield brilliance as a possible benefit for Jozy .
Now I see it’s become conventional wisdom…
Let’s start the Josy goal scoring sports book. I put the over/under at 11 across all competitions.
I’ll go with the over.
Angel, you are waaaay off. FSC and Setanta still carry the EPL here in the states. I think someone already mentioned in another thread that Setanta will carry the Chelsea-Hull game.
If Hull gets relegated they won’t pay that kind of money to keep Jozy around, even with a parachute payment. They will be looking to cut salary not add to it. He would be their record signing and they will only do that if they stay u pand he produces. Being half English, I don’t have to worry about a visa however, getting a work permit in England is not easy. They make getting it so hard that there is no incentive for younger players to play in England (without national team time). Which is why some of out guys who play in Norway etc. could play in the English second division if it were not so. Don’t expect this to be resolved before opening weekend.
All in all, a good move for Jozy if the work permit gets worked out. I suspect Hull has already looked into this before they made the move and got some positive vibes that it would be apporoved, but you never know..:)
Adam in Irvine,
The FSC and Setanta don’t have the right to carrie the EPL games anymore. But I think ESPN2 and ESPN en Español will be carrien the EPL, Bundesliga and plus the Liga from Spain too. I don’t know if GolTV will too. But ESPN is going to carrie all the EPL they bought the rights.
Colin Ferguson: what makes you say you have zero faith in Phil Brown. I have no opinion, just wanting insight into yours. Thanks.
I have zero faith in Phil Brown as a coach, but if Jimmy Bullard and Geovanni get/stay healthy, there will be at least two skilled passers supplying some service for Jozy. Hopefully we see the Hull team from the first half of last season, not the miserable Hull from the second half that only stayed up because ‘Boro, Newcastle and West Brom happened to exceed their level of atrocious.
Well I’m glad josy is the Premiere and I hope he gets to learn alot from Giovanni I think the can pair with each other. Remember that Hull was the Surprising team in the beginning of last Season at the EPL. They beat team like Chelsea, Liverpool and even Man U. they were in first place. Anyway Gio and Altidore can be a good Combo, and how funny was when the reporter and Altidore keep saying soccer and the president of the Hull team keep saying to Altidore “what did we say – is Football not soccer” lmao jajaja. Anyway good luck Altidore.
milkshake: i thought of that, too. However they MUST release if we want him, and given the magnitude of the game, my guess is we will.
As for Hull: they certainly are not overselling Jozy. That is good. Hope they will develop him.
anyone know if the Chelsea-Hull game will be on FSC/Setanta/ESPN Deportes/etc???
Hope the midfield can get him some service. I don’t really follow the EPL and don’t know much about Hull, but it sounds like they don’t have too many quality players. He won’t score many goals if nobody on the team can get him the ball (like Angel is finding out with the NY Red Bulls this season).
You’ve got to admire a young player with a good head on his shoulders. He knows he’s going to have to work hard and learn.
And if Jozy doesn’t get a work permit on appeal, I call shenanigans.
Well, I hope the fans will recognize that there is only so much a forward can do. He will have to rely upon service to be able to score. I’d love to see him in double digits this year, but just don’t know enough about Hull to have an expectation based on real data.
. . . and then “Jozy Altidor-ee” followed by the same guy then saying “Jose is unproven at this level.”
Confidence builders.
Anyone worried this is going to affect his availability to attend the Aug 12 game? I am. Hull City is going to want him there to get aquainted with his new team.
lol at “Jose Altidore” at the beginning…
Posted by: Blokhin
lol, you beat me to it!
Just call him Hull’s Bull.
Hope he gets his permit without a long delay. I say 8-10 goals in all competitions this season has to be considered a huge success for his first year in the Premiership.
hey ya’ll check out the awesome piece on the USMNT on espn.com covers the last 2 months
I still think there were better options available but best of luck to him. Can’t see him scoring double digits but at least he’ll play every week.
This is only a good thing for Jozy, as he will get some critical playing time on a team playing in the best league in the world leading up to the WC in ’10. Perfect.
i never thought i’d ever be considering purchasing a Hull shirt. Nice colors and the number 9…..not bad….
When you look at the figures Ives provided, it appears that there will be no issue for Altidore to secure a permit.
In addition, this move will be a good one for Altidore. He’ll get playing time in the best leage in the world (I really don’t buy the idea that la liga is better, or that he would improve more playing in the Segunda liga or being a lower option at Villareal) and, if Hull do go down next season, he won’t go with them. Finally he will be given the opportunity to shine at the highest club level.
Go Jozy!
judging on what Hull fans have said in comment fields below news articles they are excited about Jozy… some even expect near 20 goals. could be the beginning of something good.
If he plays and can score 10 or so goals in all competitions I think that is a good start. More than this gravy.
lol at “Jose Altidore” at the beginning…
It seems like a good spot – win/win. I’m a little surprised there’s a buy option. I thought that Villareal still regarded him highly. In terms of sheer skill development, Jozy might have been better off staying in Spain, but he need PT right now and Hull seems like a club that desperately needs a guy like Joz, so I still like it. I’m also looking forward to seeing him play every week in the Prem!! How cool is that? The bar down the street has all the games, so I may be spending more time there than I ought.
Jozy! Altidore!
i sure hope that option to buy at the end of the season is contingent on hull staying up.
(SBI- If Hull goes down it won’t be buying anybody.)
Quite funny how they kept butchering his name in the beginning of the press conference, hopefully this is the beginning of making his name known world wide.
Go Jozy!