Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi is now the only Nigerian player remaining in Hull City’s first-team squad after the club ended winger David Akintola’s contract.
Akintola’s departure brings to an early close his spell with the English club and ends his hopes of making a Premier League appearance after failing to play in England’s top flight.
The 29-year-old joined Hull City in August 2025 on a two-year deal after leaving Turkish side Çaykur Rizespor. His move to England represented an important stage in a career that had taken him through several European leagues, including spells in Denmark, Norway, Cyprus and Turkey.
However, despite arriving at Hull with the prospect of eventually playing in the Premier League, Akintola did not feature in the competition before his contract was terminated.
His first season with Hull was largely spent contributing from the bench. The Nigerian winger made 20 appearances in the Championship, although most of his playing time came as a substitute.
Akintola scored once during that campaign and also registered two assists.
His only goal came in October, when he played a part in Hull City’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. It proved to be his only goal for the club during his time at the MKM Stadium.
The termination of his contract means Akintola leaves Hull before completing the two-year agreement he signed when he arrived from Çaykur Rizespor.
His move to Hull had initially appeared to provide another opportunity to establish himself in English football and potentially reach the Premier League. Instead, the winger departs without making a single appearance in England’s top division.
Akintola’s career before moving to Hull had already taken him across a number of European countries. The Oyo-born player had played in Denmark, Norway, Cyprus and Turkey before his move to England at the age of 29.
His arrival at Hull in August 2025 was therefore another significant step in a career that had seen him move between different football environments.
At Hull, however, opportunities in the Championship were limited. Although he featured in 20 league matches during his first season, he was predominantly used from the bench.
His contribution included two assists and the solitary goal against Sheffield United, as Hull recorded a narrow 1-0 win.
With Akintola no longer part of the squad, Semi Ajayi is now the only Nigerian representative in Hull City’s first-team group.
Ajayi’s continued presence means Nigeria still has a player at the club, but Akintola’s exit changes the Nigerian contingent at Hull after just one season of his two-year contract.
For Akintola, the termination marks the end of an English chapter that promised a route towards the Premier League but ultimately ended without him appearing in the competition.
His next move will come after a spell in which he made 20 Championship appearances, scored once and provided two assists for Hull City.
The winger’s departure also leaves behind the story of a player who reached England after a career across four other European football countries, only for his Premier League opportunity to pass without a single top-flight appearance.
