Hull City manager Sergej Jakirović has revealed he was keen on signing Dinamo Zagreb’s Arbër Hoxha in the summer.
Last season, the Championship side finished just above the relegation zone. They then appointed the 48-year-old as their manager, after parting ways Rubén Sellés.
Jakirović was determined to bring the winger to Hull City. The move didn’t materialise as the English club were placed under transfer embargo.
The Hull City boss has been speaking to Germanijak about Hoxha. The 26-year-old arrived at the Croatian club from Slaven Belupo in January 2024 when Jakirović was in charge.
Jakirović spent 13 months at Dinamo Zagreb before leaving in September 2024. During his time with them, he was regularly criticised for signing Hoxha.
“Whatever I say about Arbër is a waste of words for me anyway, because I know that guy very well and he came to Dinamo on my initiative,” he said.
“How many times have I been ridiculed when I called him a rocket, and I know very well what I said, and I stand behind every word. He is a real, vertical winger.
“Aggressive, fast, direct and with a great shot, with which he can solve any situation he finds himself in. We were as honest and open as possible in every conversation, and he has the qualities of a true athlete.
“I must also emphasise that he himself had a great desire to come to Dinamo. He told me that he would come to Rovinj for preparations no matter what and sign anything. Just to become our player.”
“I wanted to bring Arbër to Hull” – Sergej Jakirović on Hull City transfer frustration
Under the current Hull City coach, Hoxha played 1,570 minutes from 31 matches, scoring four times and registering three assists.
To explain how highly he rates the attacker, the manager revealed he tried to sign him for the Tigers.
“I personally wanted to bring Arbër to Hull this summer. We were prevented by the embargo, given his existing contract at Dinamo he could not come. That tells you enough what I think of him,” Jakirović explained.
Hoxha has two goals and three assists to his name from eight matches for Dinamo Zagreb this season.
