Hull City sign defender Sean McLoughlin from Cork City

Hull City have confirmed the signing of defender Seán McLoughlin from Cork City on a three-year deal with an option of a fourth.

The 22-year-old has signed for an undisclosed fee and will go straight into Grant McCann’s first-team squad for the upcoming Championship season.

McCann is no stranger to ex-Cork City players, the former Northern Ireland international having taken Kieran Sadlier to Doncaster Rovers last year before taking up the role with Hull in the summer.

McLoughlin has spent the past two seasons at Turner’s Cross after the Rebel Army fought off competition from England and Scotland to secure his signature after graduating rom UCC.

He had previously spent time with City’s under-19 side after joining from local side Springfield Ramblers ahead of the 2013-14 season.

The teak-tough centre-half established himself as a regular in John Caulfield’s side in 2018 and has continued to impress despite a poor season on the field for the club as a whole.

McLoughlin made a total of 63 appearances for the Rebel Army in all competitions, scoring four league goals.

“The move has been going on for the past couple of weeks now, so to finally get over here and sign, I’m delighted,” McLoughlin told the Tigers’ official website.

“I’m buzzing to be here and to be a Hull City player. I know I’ve still got a lot to learn, but it’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Cork City head coach John Cotter added: “Seán has been brilliant for us; not just this year, but since he came in.



“Seán came through the academy here after coming in from Springfield. He left to go to UCC, got his degree and came back. That is a credit to Seán himself and shows the pathway that is there.

“He’s a great lad, a very intelligent lad, and the way he has done it is the right way, getting his degree.

“It just shows you what hard work and sacrifice does, and we all wish Seán the very best for the future.

“When a player gets a move like this, you wish them all the best; the reason a player gets a move like this is because they have been brilliant for us.”