Hull City will not want to repeat Nigel Pearson transfer mishap | OneFootball

Martin Pusic was a failed transfer by the former Tigers boss

Over the course of the club's history, Hull City have pulled off many bargain transfers that have gone on to have a strong impact for the club and eventually make a profit.

Nigel Pearson is one manager associated with the club in recent history who perhaps doesn't get the credit he deserves for his business in the transfer market, with the former Leicester City, Watford and Bristol City boss forming the nucleus of a side which would eventually become successful under Steve Bruce in the Championship and beyond.

The likes of Robert Koren, Matty Fryatt, Robbie Brady and James Chester are just a quartet of names who fall under said category, whilst loan additions such as Péter Gulácsi, Vito Mannone and Brad Guzan between the sticks showcased Pearson's knack for identifying talent that would go on to have respectable careers in the Premier League and in top European or worldwide divisions.

However, that doesn't make the now 61-year-old immune from criticism when it comes to transfer mishaps, with some of those coming in the summer of 2011, especially in the form of Austrian attacker, Martin Pusic, who was signed on a free transfer after initially making a strong impression.

Martin Pusic failed to live up to expectations after successful Hull City trial

Pusic was 23 by the time his move to the MKM Stadium came about, enjoying a steady career in the Austrian top flight and second division for ASK Schwadorf, Admira Wacker and Rheindorf Altach.

Despite being an unknown to everyone in English football and it being Pusic's first experience away from his home country, Pearson hoped that the free transfer would represent a bargain deal, and his signing was confirmed after the attacker featured in a 2-0 defeat to Macclesfield Town in the EFL Cup.

The new signing's first league involvement came in a 70-minute appearance against Cardiff City in October 2011, where he assisted Fryatt in a 2-1 victory over Cardiff City, before playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw away to Brighton and Hove Albion, the other side of an international break.

After missing a dramatic 3-2 success over Watford the following week, Pusic hoped he would be back in contention to feature in a 1-0 success against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground after a groin injury. However, his appearance at the AMEX Stadium two weeks before would prove to be as good as it got in Black and Amber.

The man who signed him - Pearson - departed to rejoin Leicester just weeks later, with cult hero Nick Barmby taking the reins on an interim and latterly, permanent basis in January 2012.

However, a day before the former City midfielder was appointed for the long-term, Pusic's short-term contract reached its conclusion, and it came as no surprise that, after just three appearances in all competitions, the man who had previously been on trial with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was released.

Martin Pusic went on to have a solid career after Hull City departure

Although many supporters in East Yorkshire are likely to have forgotten about this particular transfer, Pusic went on to have a solid career in Norway, Denmark, Holland and Germany before retiring in April 2022.

The forward went on to win the Danish Superliga in 2014/15 with FC Midtjylland, in what was in the midst of his most prolific spell for them and his previous club, Esbjerg FB and in a loan spell with Sparta Rotterdam, scoring 37 goals in three seasons as well as having a spell with FC Copenhagen, Denmark's most-decorated side.

This showcased that Pusic clearly had some form of potential, and Pearson deserves credit for identifying his services. However, supporters will hope that this small mishap isn't repeated, and that the signing of young talents on free transfers will benefit the Tigers rather than a selection of clubs later down the line.