Hull City have completed the signing of Senegal international defender Nobel Mendy from Rayo Vallecano in a deal that becomes the club's most expensive transfer to date, while also confirming the arrival of centre-back Lucas Herrington from Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Mendy, 21, has put his name to a five-year contract at the MKM Stadium, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by a further year. The transfer fee has not been officially disclosed, though Hull have indicated it exceeds the roughly £20m plus add-ons the Tigers paid earlier this month to sign Greek goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from Olympiacos.
According to Italian football reference site Wikipedia, the fee is reported elsewhere as approximately €20 million plus bonuses, a figure that offers a currency conversion not confirmed in Hull's own statement. The same source notes that Mendy's path to Hull began with a permanent move to Rayo Vallecano on 12 June 2026 for around €2.4 million, before Hull moved to secure his signature. Separately, a report from Fox Sports states that his contract with Hull actually runs through 2031 with an additional one-year option, a more precise timeframe than the five-year figure given by the club.
The previous club-record signing for Hull dated back to 2016, when the Tigers spent £13m to bring in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason.
Speaking after the move was finalised, Mendy expressed his delight at joining the club:
I am very happy to be here and very proud to be here as well.
I am a very athletic player, and I am a defender at heart. I also really enjoy the game and coming out from the back cleanly and aggressively when needed.
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.
What is Mendy's football background?
Mendy began his professional career at Paris FC before moving through Real Betis, with whom he reached last year's Conference League final, losing to Chelsea. He then joined Rayo Vallecano, where he scored twice in 28 La Liga appearances during his sole season with the club, his last outing coming in this year's Conference League final defeat by Crystal Palace. According to a Transfermarkt player profile, Mendy operates as a left-footed centre-back, a trait that likely appealed to Hull as they look to build attacks from deep. His single senior cap for Senegal came against The Gambia, with the same profile pinning the exact date of his international debut to 31 March 2026.
The signing follows Hull's other close-season activity in goal, after the club signed goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers on a two-year deal as part of preparations for the club's return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence.
Why have Hull signed Herrington?
Hull, who secured promotion by beating Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final, have also brought in 18-year-old Australia international Lucas Herrington from Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids on a five-year contract. Herrington earned two caps for Australia at this year's World Cup, an experience that included a missed penalty as his side were eliminated by Egypt in a last-32 shootout.
Reflecting on his move, Herrington said:
The opportunity to play in the Premier League, one of the best leagues in the world, is a dream come true.
I've woken up at all hours in the morning in Australia to watch these games. To be a part of it is so special.
I'm here to work hard and hopefully get a lot of games in the Premier League.
What happens next for Mendy at Hull?
With his contract reportedly set to run until the summer of 2031, according to a national broadcaster's report, the next significant milestone for Mendy will be his first competitive season in the Premier League, as Hull look to establish themselves back in England's top flight.
Key Facts
- Nobel Mendy, 21, joins Hull City from Rayo Vallecano on a five-year deal with a one-year option.
- The fee surpasses the roughly £20m plus add-ons Hull paid for goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, breaking the club's previous £13m record for Ryan Mason set in 2016.
- Lucas Herrington, 18, arrives from Colorado Rapids on a five-year contract after featuring for Australia at this year's World Cup.
- Mendy previously reached back-to-back Conference League finals with Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano, losing to Chelsea and Crystal Palace respectively.
- Reports indicate Mendy's contract could run through 2031, with his transfer fee cited elsewhere as roughly €20 million plus bonuses.
