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.