“Nearly had a Peter Odemwingie” - Shane Long reveals odd West Brom transfer revelation | OneFootball

Shane Long has opened up on nearly joining Hull City from West Brom six months before he did.

Shane Long has revealed he almost joined Hull City from West Brom six months before he did, and how that nearly resulted in him having his own Peter Odemwingie moment.

Odemwingie enjoyed a successful time at The Hawthorns, but many also remember the Nigerian for his failed transfer to QPR.

Despite the clubs not agreeing a fee, the striker travelled to London without Albion’s permission on Deadline Day in January 2013 in a bid to push through the move, but it didn’t happen in the end.

Shane Long reveals initial West Brom, Hull City transfer failure

And, speaking on Ben Foster’s Fozcast podcast, Long explained how something similar nearly happened to him six months later, as he discussed hiding in the back of a car after thinking he would be moving to Hull in the summer window.

“I nearly had a Peter Odemwingie up there. West Brom signed Stephane Sessegnon from Sunderland and Hull wanted him as well. So for West Brom to get him, they said I could go to Hull. I found out and I was like, okay, if I'm not wanted here I want to go to Hull and play.

“I went up there to do the medical, meet everyone, and agree on everything. I actually drove into the training ground lying on the floor, because the Odemwingie thing happened six months before and I didn't want to be that guy. I hid but I thought that everything was going through.

“Then West Brom weren't answering the phone at 10pm. Then I got a call from the gaffer who said, 'Longy what are you doing'. I told him what had happened and he said you're not going anywhere. He didn't know anything about it.

“Hull were raging, because they had no time to get anyone else. I hid on the way out as I didn't want to be seen, and got back down and the gaffer apologised, saying he didn't know anything about it. Since then, I thought I don't want to be at the club. I wanted to do well because I am competitive, but the first chance I got to go I went, and signed for Hull.”

Shane Long’s time at Hull City was shortlived

Even though he spoke about wanting to join Hull City, Long’s time with the Tigers wasn’t as long as he would’ve envisaged.

He joined mid-season, and he would watch on as Steve Bruce’s side defied the odds to reach the FA Cup final as he was cup-tied, which they then lost to Arsenal.

Then, just six months after signing for Hull, Long was on the move once more as he signed for Southampton in the summer.

He would then spend the next eight years with the south coast side, racking up almost 250 appearances, meaning he turned out for the Saints more than any other club in his career.

West Brom’s transfer strategy contributed to their downfall

As for Albion, the move to sell Long was a surprise, although the emergence of Saido Berahino at the time meant he wasn’t a massive loss.

The Baggies would survive the season Long left, and they spent another few years in the top-flight, but more mistakes were creeping into recruitment.

Eventually, Albion’s consecutive run in the Premier League would come to an end, and whilst they’ve been up and down since, they remain in the second tier.

But, with Carlos Corberan in charge, West Brom will hope they can seal a return to the elite this season, having enjoyed a brilliant start to the season.