Hull City should capitalise on Birmingham City transfer reveal: View | OneFootball

With Ryan Allsop on his way to Birmingham, the Tigers have the chance to upgrade in the goalkeeping department this summer

Birmingham City have signed goalkeeper Ryan Allsop from Hull City, with Blues boss Chris Davies making the shot-stopper his first signing since joining the club earlier this month.

The 32-year-old grew up as a Birmingham fan, and makes the move to St Andrew’s after just a single season with the Tigers, in which he featured in 37 league matches.

While the Humberside club will be disappointed to see their number one depart for a side in the third tier, they should be seeing the departure as an opportunity to improve the quality in that position, and now have the perfect opportunity to do so.

With the Tim Walter revolution only just beginning at the MKM Stadium, Hull now have the chance to bring in a solid performer ahead of the next campaign, as they look to go one better than their seventh-placed finish from the previous campaign.

Ryan Allsop’s Birmingham City departure could be a blessing in disguise for Hull City

The move to the Midlands represents a 12th club in Allsop’s career, with the Football League stalwart appearing for Cardiff City, Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers in recent seasons.

Having been on the books of West Bromwich Albion as an academy player, the move represents a return home for the goalkeeper, who is relishing the chance to put on the gloves for his boyhood club in the next campaign.

He said after his unveiling: "It feels like the right fit for me at the right time. Hopefully, I can help the club get back to where it belongs.

“I’m a boyhood Birmingham City fan and as soon as I knew there was interest, it was something that I wanted to explore. It is a club very close to my heart."

Although Allsop had a reasonable season between the sticks for the Tigers, the underlying numbers don’t make him out to be an outstanding performer in the most recent campaign, with 46 goals conceded from 37 league games.

A save percentage of 70.5% is par for the course in the Championship - ranking 11th for those who played last season - while a clean sheet record of 27.0% might point to why City missed out on the playoffs in the 23/24 campaign.

Thimothee Lo-Tutala could be a ready-made replacement for Ryan Allsop at Hull City

Although Walter and owner Acun Ilicali may look to bring in a new face in goal this summer, there could be a cheaper, more familiar option that could help the Tigers become more resolute in the months to come.

Thimothee Lo-Tutala [pictured] is yet to even make a first-team appearance for the Humberside club, but has already made a name for himself in the Football League after a solid showing for Doncaster Rovers in the second-half of last season.

The 21-year-old was an integral part of why the Yorkshire side flew up the fourth tier table after the January transfer window, as he conceded just 14 goals in 18 games for Grant McCann’s side.

With 75.9% of shots that came his way being repelled, and a 33.3% clean sheet ratio, Lo-Tutala has already proven he is more than capable of keeping attacking talent at bay in the EFL, and looks set for a promising future.

The goalkeeper experienced just one defeat to Walsall before losing out to Crewe Alexandra in the League Two playoffs, the former Tottenham Hotspur man proved to be influential for Rovers, and could likely to do so given the chance at a higher level next season.

With Hull having made good use of Premier League loanees in recent seasons, it shows they are happy to put their faith in young talent when the time is right, and this year they could have a star of their own ready to fill the void between the posts.

If they don't choose to put their faith in the young star, Allsop's departure has paved the way for a new recruit to join the club this summer, and if they get their recruitment right it could be the difference-maker come the end of the season for the promotion-chasing Tigers.